Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Awards Funding for Older Adult Suicide Prevention Projects

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation today announced the recipients of grant funding from the Jerry Williams Memorial Fund, totaling $20,000. The grants support programs aimed at preventing suicide among older adults in Ohio.

Established in 2023 to honor the memory of Jerry Williams, who died by suicide at the age of 74, the fund addresses the critical need for targeted support for seniors. Research shows that older adults, especially those over 65, experience higher suicide rates, yet they remain underserved by traditional prevention efforts. Since its inception, the fund has provided over $120,000 in funding to support suicide prevention efforts directed at older adults.

This year’s projects will address loneliness, which is one of the main risk factors for suicide in older adults.

“We are excited to champion these groundbreaking initiatives that address the unique challenges older adults encounter,” said OSPF CEO Tony Coder. “By investing in these projects, we aim to spark important conversations and proactive efforts to prevent suicide among seniors, who deserve our support and care.”

This year’s recipients were selected based on their innovative approaches to addressing the stigma surrounding mental health and their ability to engage with senior adults effectively. The funded projects, which will run through June 30, 2026, focus on developing scalable and replicable models that can make a significant impact across the state.

The awarded projects are:

Organization Name: The Older Adult Taskforce of the Butler County Suicide Prevention Coalition, an initiative of Envision Partnerships
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
Project Funded: Reducing Stigma and Normalizing Mental Health Conversations Older Adult Community Event
Funding Amount: $2,500
Project Summary:
An older adult community event will be held to encourage social connection, open discussions about mental health and suicide prevention, and assistance so participants feel more comfortable seeking help. One of the breakout sessions will focus on The Pen Connection, a previously funded project. This workshop will be recorded to be shared with other Coalitions across the state interested in conducting pen pal programs for older adults. A minimum of 100 community members will participate in the event, with 80% of attendees reporting increased comfort discussing mental health and awareness of available resources (via post-event evaluations).

Organization Name: OSU-Extension Belmont County
Location: Belmont County, including St. Clairsville
Project Funded: Senior luncheon and connection cafés
Funding Amount: $10,000
Project Summary:
OSU-E Belmont County will invite the ten senior centers in Belmont County to a luncheon on mental health and wellness. This project will also implement at least one Coffee Connection Café in 50% of these towns: St. Clairsville, Barnesville, Bellaire, Bridgeport, Martins Ferry, and Shadyside in Belmont County. Follow-up (at 3-month mark) will take place with at least 50% of the senior centers to address any questions or concerns that may need addressed. The CARES/OSU program will distribute CARES/OSU and 988 magnets at all events offered during grant period and will distribute CARES/OSU and 988 magnets to 1100 Meals on Wheels participants in Belmont County.

Organization Name: Gallia-Jackson-Meigs Suicide Prevention Collaborative in partnership with the Gallia-Jackson-Meigs ADAMH Board, Area Agency on Aging District 7.
Location: Jackson and Gallipolis, Ohio
Project Funded: Season of Connection—a free winter movie series for seniors.
Funding Amount: $4,500
Project Summary:
This project will host six free senior movie events from December 2025 to April 2026, aiming to engage at least 300 older adults and achieve a 70% improvement in their social connections and mood. Participants will receive over 300 resource bags with mental health materials, including information on the 988 Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line. Collaboration with more than 10 partner organizations will support outreach and logistics, while pre-show public service announcements will promote themes of belonging, purpose, and wellness.

Organization Name: Carve Your Own Path
Location: Akron, Ohio
Project Funded: The Creative Connection Initiative: Combating Isolation and Suicide Risk in Subsidized Senior Housing
Funding Amount: $3,000
Project Summary: The Creative Connection Initiative is a targeted suicide prevention program serving residents aged 65 and older at Collinson Apartments in Akron, Ohio. This project will combine specialized, group-based Expressive Art Therapy with essential, on-site case management follow-up to address the critical risks of social isolation, depression, and mental health stigma prevalent in subsidized senior housing.