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Suicide-prevention groups urge Senate to back governor’s behavioral-health and 988 investments
Summary
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation and other advocates asked the Senate to support the governor’s proposed behavioral-health and suicide-prevention funding, including sustaining 988 crisis services and evidence-based youth programs.
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation asked the Senate Health Committee to support the governor’s behavioral-health and suicide-prevention investments in HB 96, emphasizing the continued need for crisis services and long-term prevention programs.
Testimony summary: Austin Lucas (Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation) said 1,777 Ohioans died by suicide in 2023 and described 988’s role in handling crisis contacts — he said 988’s chat, call and text system has handled roughly half a million contacts nationwide since inception and averagely 19,000 contacts per month. Lucas argued that crisis services must be funded to meet immediate needs and that prevention programming (e.g., Sources of Strength serving 170,000 youth in 400 schools) should be maintained and expanded.
Why it matters: Witnesses framed suicide prevention spending as lifesaving and cost-effective, noting the daily toll and the role of both immediate crisis response (988) and upstream prevention and school-based programs.
Requests: Support governor’s investments in behavioral health, crisis services and suicide-prevention programs in HB 96; maintain full funding for 988-related services and evidence-based prevention programs.
Ending: No committee votes were taken; advocates requested the Senate weigh long-term prevention and immediate crisis-service needs in final budget decisions.
