OSPF Staff Spotlight: Julia Kozlowski

During Suicide Prevention Month, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) is proud to spotlight the passionate team members working to prevent suicide and promote mental wellness across Ohio. Through four key questions, they’ll share their stories, offer insight into their work, their dedication to suicide prevention, and how they care for their mental well-being. 

Julia Kozlowski is a dedicated Prevention Program Specialist at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF), who is committed to supporting the effort to prevent suicide in our veteran populations, particularly through drug abuse prevention. Julia is also a sergeant in the Ohio Army National Guard. 

Q1: What inspired you to work in the suicide prevention field?  

A1: What inspired me to work in the suicide prevention field was my time serving on the Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team. There was an alarming number of flags I had to present to loved ones bereaved by suicide. This made me wonder if there was anything I could do to prevent that number from going up any more than it already has. 

Q2: What is one project or moment at OSPF that you’re especially proud of?  

A2: A tabling event I attended at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution. It was such a rewarding feeling to see the eyes light up of the men who are incarcerated, at the sight of the fun items and resources we brought for them. Many of them found our table to be a safe space and shared with us some of the struggles they are facing or how some of them are loss and attempt survivors themselves. I think often the mental health of inmates is neglected or seen as less deserving of some of these things. Still, at the end of the day, all men and women behind bars are people too and deserve the same medical attention for the “invisible illness”, just as they do for the visible ones. 

Q3: How do you prioritize self-care and mental wellness in your own life?  

 A3: I try to stay busy with hobbies and activities like crafting, jewelry making, and baking. I also try to spend as much time outdoors as I can. Things like kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, or even riding my motorcycle are ways I can prioritize self-care in my life. 

Q4: What message would you share with someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or supporting a loved one in crisis?  

A4: You are not a burden. You are not alone. You are strong. You matter. Whatever you are going through, you do not have to go through alone. There are resources available for you to use, so please use them and ask for help if you need it. We want you to see the sunset tonight, and forever.