March 28, 2025 • 43 mins
The looming deadline for Ohio's budget, which Governor Mike DeWine must sign by June 30th at midnight, creates an urgent backdrop for critical conversations about mental health funding. As pandemic-era federal dollars disappear from community pipelines, state lawmakers face increasingly difficult decisions about which programs to fund and which to scale back.
State Representative Jodi Salvo, a Republican, and State Senator Casey Weinstein, a Democrat, offer candid perspectives regarding budget challenges. Their shared commitment to the mental well-being of their constituents provides hope that even after facing economic constraints, Ohio can continue building on recent progress in suicide prevention and mental health support.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to another episode of Voices for Suicide
Prevention.
As we like to say, ourconversations are real talk,
real honest, real life.
I'm Rachel Tilson.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And I'm Scott Light.
So our OSPF office is locatedjust a stone's throw from the
State House, and boy, that placeis absolutely cranking.
Right now it's a budget year,as a lot of people know,
governor DeWine unveiled hisbudget priorities in early
February.
So right now, budget hearings,testimony all that that's begun
in the House.
Then it'll be the Senate's turn.
(00:32):
After that and, rachel, youknow this as well Governor has
to sign the budget by June 30that midnight.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
We are so honored to have a couple of lawmakers join
us for this episode.
Our first guest is staterepresentative and vice chair.
Is that correct?
It is Of the House of Childrenand Human Services
Representative, Jody Salvo, fromDistrict 51.
Welcome to this episode.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Thank you, I'm glad to be here, it's good to have
you here.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
There are a lot of.
Let's start out broad and thenwe'll get into some specifics.
We are hearing here from a lotof folks.
We talked to a lot of folkshere from our perch at OSPF.
A lot of state lawmakers arecalling this a tough budget year
.
Help us, representative, tounderstand why.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Okay, first of all, just let you know I am a brand
new legislator so I've kind ofwalked into this beginning in
January.
So it does feel like you'redrinking from a fire hose.
I can't even tell you how quickthis is moving and trying to
figure out the Ohio budget.
But I definitely think this isa challenging year and, as we
(01:35):
all know, we're still just offthe back of the pandemic.
So for the last four years Ithink a lot of us, across every
services and program Great,great opportunities just to
(02:09):
develop needed programming herein the state of Ohio and I know
that even I was a director of aprevention department back in my
home district and you know wewere certainly creating
programming and I think becauseof that funding that was coming
into communities, with theremoval or the stopping of those
(02:32):
funds, I think there's just alot of competition for services
and programmings because we havelimited dollars at this point.
So you're making toughdecisions on what can you expand
and what might need to be cutback a little bit.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
So it's difficult.
Yeah, I heard the mayor ofCincinnati talking and he said
hey, listen, once all thesefederal dollars are out of our
pipeline, we're going to have tomake some hard choices and I
think a lot of cities and townsare facing that.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Well, and being on youth and human services, I had
the opportunity to hear hundredsof testimonies of wonderful
work that's happening acrossOhio.
You know, from job and familyservices, programming, mental
health, behavioral health,whatever that might be, there's
(03:26):
a lot of good work being done tobest practices, to fidelity.
But then you have to step backand say do these programs hit
all of Ohio?
So if there was a lot offunding maybe concentrated in
one area and we had the fundingto support that, you're looking
to say, okay, do we have enoughof these services and programs
(03:48):
in rural?
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Ohio.
So to your point all of Ohio.
Does it affect all of Ohio?
What is your 30,000 foot viewof our state's overall mental
health?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
right now really dealing with challenging times
with behavioral health, and I'mgoing to say I think that goes
back to the pandemic.
We went through a period oftime where we were in isolation,
we were not connected andsometimes and I say this with
(04:19):
hesitancy, I think as we'recoming out we swung from one end
of the pendulum to the other.
So you know, when I worked withyoung people prior to the
pandemic man, we were taxingthem out everywhere.
You know from over-programmingin schools and you need to get
(04:40):
the best grades and you need tobe involved in every activity at
the school district.
And then, of course, for thepandemic, and we needed to focus
on mental health.
We needed to speak aboutanxiety and depression and some
of those areas.
So I think we also went alittle far on even defining what
is normal challenges that weface to what is a mental health
(05:05):
crisis.
So I think some of that swingin the pendulum I think we're
still trying to figure out.
You know where a medium balanceis and you know inflation at
this point and you know we camethrough, we're going through, a
really tumultuous political time.
I think there's just so manythings still coming at our
(05:29):
communities and we're still notquite back to normal as far as
and we see that in ourcommunities it's much more
difficult to get people to cometo learn.
And I'll go back to schools,like prior, if we had an issue
that was rising in a school,maybe it was suicide.
I'm just trying to think ofdifferent topics that normally
(05:52):
we could raise awareness, wecould get people out, we could
have town halls, we could haveconversations, and I find that
that looks a little morechallenging, at least in the
district I live.
So I think it's getting peopleback to the table on how do we
do community together.
So I think we're still workinga little bit in isolation, which
I think does impact some ofthis mental health stuff.
(06:15):
And when you look at inflation,you look at cost of living, you
look at behavioral health,workforce challenges.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I mean, we do not have enough workers.
That's right.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
I think that's also adding to this crisis that the
need is great because of theenvironment we're in right now
and yet we have troubleaccessing the services.
So I will let you know from thelegislature we're really
looking at that and they havebeen committed to this over the
last couple of years.
How do we get more people intothe mental health field?
(06:51):
How do we increase capacity?
How do we invest in workforce?
Because it's hard.
Um, you absolutely see higherintensity needs for young people
.
Um so you know, even though wemight see fewer kids in foster
care right now, the amount ofneed is just much greater than
(07:13):
we've ever seen.
So, 30,000 foot view, there'sjust a lot going on, and I think
there's a lot of commitment,there's a lot of passion,
there's a lot of attention toinvesting in prevention,
investing in treatment, but Ithink we're still in a rough
place right now.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, you mentioned your community.
What are you hearing from yourconstituents on their needs?
Speaker 3 (07:38):
One of them is that access to care.
I mean we can have greatprograms and we have great
organizations but it can takeyou five to six weeks to get in
to see, to even be seen orscreened.
So I mean that's difficult.
I mean, even if we have someonego through an ER, we still
(08:01):
might not be able to get them tosee someone right away.
So and then you know, when youlook at job and family services,
the need, the level of care forour young people is high.
So that's a concern oncommunities and I know I'm here
with the Ohio Suicide PreventionFoundation.
Death by suicide is very high inmy district.
(08:25):
So I applaud the efforts thathave been going on in Ohio and
we have seen a 1% decreaseoverall in Ohio on suicide.
But it's very interesting, inmy district we've actually seen
an 18% increase in death bysuicide.
But let me tell you what thedemographics is 100% of our
(08:48):
deaths have been males.
All but two have been 40 andover.
So you know we just started asuicide death review board, so
we're just now starting to diginto that.
But me just kind of looking atthe situation, you can't not say
well, stigma is always going tobe that thing that we're really
(09:12):
working to diminish or todecrease.
But you know, you do have tothink about just our financial
situation, the costs, and Ithink of men.
I think often, you know, menbear that weight of you know I
got to take care of my family.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
That's right.
That's right, I'm a provider.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, and I know, the other day I went into the
grocery store and I went to buymeat and I actually gasped I'm
like.
But when you think, if you livein a rural community,
transportation's an issue, costof living is high, so I think
some of those stigma is still abig concern.
(09:51):
Access to care is a big concern.
So I would say for my communitythat might be some of the work.
And again, high intensive needsof our kids and we struggle
with childcare options.
We struggle with foster careplacement, foster care homes,
(10:11):
residential placements they'renot in our rural communities.
So a lot of that, I think,plays out in my district because
we are a little bit more rural.
So access and care.
I think really contributes to amental health crisis.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
You know, the statistic that 80% of our
suicides are middle-aged men inOhio still rings true.
And just hearing that in yourspecific district, the the
statistic of them all beingmiddle-aged white men are just,
it never gets easier to hear it.
Just, it's a gut punch.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Every time it never gets easier to hear it's a gut
punch every time and that one'shard as a legislator because I
know we fiercely need to protectand help our young people, and
then when you get into limitedresources, where do you place
them?
It's much easier to advocate forthat young person and I really
(11:04):
there's a passion on my heart tomake sure we understand, you
know, death by suicide mentalhealth challenges is across the
entire continuum and if we donot have healthy mouths, fathers
, grandfathers, that are able tohave conversations that can get
to a place that you knowsometimes that seeking help is
(11:27):
the harder thing to do, it is,but it's certainly an effective
thing to do and it models it foryoung people.
You know, and I think if youknow our men are healthy.
It also can help, you know,with that family structure and a
community structure.
It also can help with thatfamily structure and a community
structure.
(11:47):
So I will be a voice to makesure that we're very mindful of
all the needs that we have,especially around mental health
in our state.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Yeah Well, to the credit of lawmakers like you and
Governor DeWine, Ohio has uppedmental health resources
statewide, with the specialemphasis on reaching our rural
friends, families and neighbors.
Are you worried that some ofthose resources could be cut in
this budget?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Speaking to my colleagues, I think we all get
this as a priority and peoplemight come to this issue from a
whole bunch of different angles,but we can talk to all those
different perspectives Right now.
Now there's a big push in Ohioto make sure that we have a
workforce.
I mean, we have so much greatthings happening in Ohio.
(12:31):
We have a chamber of commercethat is doing an amazing job.
We have legislators that aremaking sure that this is such a
work-friendly state, but we needworkers.
So I think for people that arecoming from that business
perspective to say, look, weneed to invest in mental health
services so we have a healthy,viable workforce.
(12:54):
So there's some people thatthat language can kind of help
understand, and there's a lot ofus.
I mean, you do not run foroffice if you do not care about
your communities period.
So we can't run for office, wecan't live in our communities
without seeing the need.
So it's very apparent whenyou're in your communities that
(13:16):
these are issues we have to dealwith.
So I do think it's a priorityissue.
I think you know we're notgoing to cut if we don't have to
, but we're a state with abalanced budget and I'm glad we
have that.
Our decisions have to be made,but you know I really respect
Andrea White, who's the chair ofYouth and Human Services.
(13:38):
We have the Medicaid committee.
A lot of us are just makingsure.
You know, part of government isto take care of our
disadvantaged population.
So I would say we're doing thebest we can to be very mindful
of the needs in our communities.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
You mentioned the chamber.
The chamber hosted us, in fact,the week that we're doing this
recording here, so just a coupleof days ago, for one of our
campaigns here at OSPF and it'scalled Lifeside Ohio.
Lifeside Ohio is largely acampaign by firearms owners, for
firearms owners, to talk aboutlethal means safety, to talk
(14:17):
about mental health and suicideprevention.
And we reach out to veteransgroups, police, fire first
responders, so public safety andto retailers.
We've got just tremendousfirearms retail partners all
across the state, Great partners, Great partners, and there are
a lot of gun owners all overOhio, but also in your district.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So first of all I love the work of LifeSite Ohio
Absolutely and I'm from a ruralcommunity so just absolutely
love that work.
And where I think it is sospecial is a lot of times you
get into some of the behavioralhealth spaces.
And I'll say in my community wehave a large prevention
(14:58):
coalition but it might beweighted more female and when
you're tackling some of thoseissues in a gun-owning community
, I mean gun ownership is veryhigh in your rural communities
honey.
I mean it's a way to recreate tojust everything.
But you can't come in if you'renot someone that's really in
(15:24):
that gun community and reallyhave a discussion about firearms
.
So it's just super effective.
So for us, when we go visit ourgun ranges and short stops and
everything, it's someone withinthat community that's going.
So it's the right person tohave that right conversation.
Same with working with veterans.
(15:46):
Our veterans are the ones thathandle all that work and
honestly, we support them.
You know they tell us whattheir people need, what that
looks like, and we're like great.
You know, we got your back.
Tell us what you need, we'llget the resources and services.
So again, it's culturallycompetent.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
And.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
I think it's so much better received.
And I'll tell you the other one, and I don't know if you were
going to bring this up, but mantherapy.
Oh I love man therapy, so mantherapy from my perspective,
that is the best program for menthat I have ever seen and I
remember when we first broughtit into our community, you know
(16:30):
there were some counselors andstuff like what in the world is
this?
Speaker 2 (16:34):
They're making a joke of this.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Yeah, but I think to hit men where they're at the
humor is so disarming.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
And you know it's hard to talk about mental health
.
I would say it is.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Especially if you're a man?
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Yeah, it is Females.
We just kind of go for it.
It's just it kind of melts outof us, but it's difficult.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
It is.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
So to have an opportunity that you can kind of
have some coarse and humorousposters.
They work really well inbusinesses.
Employers have no problemsplacing them up, nor do gun
ranges or, you know, bars,athletic clubs, whatever that
might be.
But I think that goes hand inhand with LifeSite Ohio.
(17:18):
It's an opportunity that you'rehaving conversations, you're
putting something up thatdirects people to resources that
they can do in the privacy oftheir own home.
That head inspection allowsthem to go.
Ah, maybe something is going onhere, but I think just the
approach that it has.
But when you marry those twotogether, in a community
(17:41):
especially when you're trying toreduce stigma and you're trying
to educate and create awareness, because it's not preachy,
there's nothing coming at you,it's just saying, hey, there's
an issue here, let's try tounderstand it and let's know
help.
Help is good.
Resources are great.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
Rachel and I love it when we get a call here from
again a county suicideprevention coalition and they'll
say can we get one of yourretailers to be one of our
public speakers to come in andhelp us understand gun culture?
Just come in and help usunderstand who we're treating in
our respective communities.
Seriously, it makes the hair onthe back of my neck stand up,
(18:23):
because that's how you know thatyou're breaking down barriers.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
It's great.
I love the word gun culture.
I was struggling with wordsthere, so gun culture, thank you
.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Sure.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
But no, there's so much work to be done there and I
think that is the only way thatwe're going to have those
conversations, because they needto be safe.
I think people are concernedabout the loss of gun and gun
rights and that's just a trickyconversation, so it needs to be
someone within their own worldto be able to have those
(18:56):
conversations.
Like look, no one is trying totake away guns, that's right.
That is not the objective.
It is just understanding safetyand just understanding some of
the struggles we're dealing withmental health in our current
climate right now.
So what are some conversationsthat we can have?
Speaker 2 (19:16):
And it goes the other way.
Once social workers or thosegreat nonprofits out there or
those suicide preventioncoalitions, once they get to
know the retailers personally,then they're not thinking well,
they're just out to make a buck,no.
Then they get to know Joe atBlackwing or Mark Leach at Vance
Outdoors.
Those are a couple of our bigpublic speakers.
(19:37):
But that's when you build arelationship, you build trust.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Right.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Thin Feather Fur is one of our partners as well.
Speaker 3 (19:44):
So the first time I heard them speak, that was like
a light bulb for me.
I enjoyed understanding all thelevels they have because they
don't want to sell a gun tosomeone that might be at risk.
That's the last thing they wantfor themselves, for any of
(20:05):
their clerks, you know.
And then you hear that with gunranges you know they want
responsible use.
So I think everyone should golisten to one of those at
Lifesite Ohio because I think ithelps people understand.
You know that gun world in avery different way.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Yeah, you did mention hearing from your veterans.
I want to go back to that.
We know that there is a mentalhealth crisis with veterans and
first responders.
What do the folks in uniform inyour district have to say?
What do they need?
Speaker 3 (20:44):
what do they need?
We work a lot with theCleveland VA.
So for our veterans they havelike a SAVE VA I think that's
what it's called like theirversion of QPR, so we try to
again meet people right wherethey're at, so just really using
the services and programs thatare important to them.
So I think for our veterans wevery much let them guide exactly
(21:04):
where it needs to be and,because it's more veteran driven
, as a community we really justprovide those resources.
I think for law enforcement, Ithink offering like QPR and
mental health first aid trainingis helpful.
Like QPR and mental healthfirst aid training is helpful
because even if they do notthink it's for them, they're
(21:24):
getting an understanding ofmental health, Because I think
that's a really hard profession.
Sometimes we get law enforcementfirst responders.
I think often they have to justdisconnect for their thinking
part of their head becausethey're seeing so much all the
time.
So providing opportunitieswhere they can learn about
(21:47):
mental health in safe spaces, Ithink like man therapy is super
helpful for them because you canput that up, you know, in the
station and again not have thoseconversations and let that be a
little more self-directed.
But I think what we can do ascommunities.
Just be very supportive of ourfirst responders and you know,
(22:11):
all those on the front lines,because that is, those are
professions where they've neverbeen encouraged to talk about
mental health.
And I know there's a lot ofconcerns about if I discuss what
I'm feeling.
Am I going to lose access to myfarm or my ability practice?
Speaker 2 (22:33):
And could it hurt a promotion if they bring it up?
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Absolutely.
So I almost wonder and I'm justthinking out loud as I'm saying
this they do have to just kindof disassociate from what they
see day to day.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
It's just hard.
You know I have such a heartfor our veterans and first
responders.
I'm glad you brought that upbecause that'll be one that I'm
going to be more mindful of,because I don't think we have
great solutions in our community.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
I mean back home for that population.
As we do start to wrap up ourconversation.
Representative for us here atOSPF and this goes out to the
larger nonprofit community outthere how can we better make our
case to lawmakers about thelifesaving work that's being
done?
Speaker 3 (23:37):
Okay, and I just saw you on Cap Square Adv.
Cap Square Advocacy.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Day, about a week or two ago.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
This is what I would say for effective advocacy
Really encourage your members tocreate relationships with their
legislators.
Get to know theirrepresentatives and senators,
and it doesn't even need to becoming here to Columbus.
Call the office, schedule atime back home, because I think
(24:04):
the more they have thatrelationship with you it's not a
once and done, here's a requestfor a budget item or for a
program it's that they know youfrom their community.
Get to know your legislator tobe an expert on the issue.
You know we're involved in thisissue.
This is why this is what'shappening in our community, so
(24:26):
they can understand how thisimpacts their district.
Also, let them know whatsolutions you have.
You know, look, we have LifeSiteOhio and it's a great way to
partner, you know, with that guncommunity.
We have, you know, man therapyand this is a great opportunity,
(24:46):
you know, to really increaseaccess and awareness and
education on mental healthservices in the workforce and
there can be a what's in it forthem.
You know, hey, can you partnerwith me, say if you're from that
social service world, andthat's going to be a win-win for
them and for you, because ifyou're from a behavioral health,
(25:08):
that might not be that partnerthat you have the strongest
relationship with, but yourrepresentative senator might.
So to then pull them into thework you're doing, I think is
super helpful because they havea platform, they have a lot of
connections.
It gives them an opportunity toshare stuff.
(25:28):
They can also share informationon their Facebook page, on
their social media page.
So I would say, the more youcan create that relationship and
get them as a partner in thework you're doing, it's going to
be easy sell.
We're having these mentalhealth challenges.
(25:49):
They know that and I think ifyou can engage them really at
that district level, I thinkthen you're going to have a lot
of support when we have budgetrequests, programming requests.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
So I would say, relationship, relationship,
relationship, yeah you guys wantto hear from your constituents,
yep.
That's amazing RepresentativeSalvo.
Thank you so much for yourpublic service.
Thank you for being a championfor mental health and suicide
prevention and for joining ustoday.
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
It was a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Our next guest coming from the Statehouse, joining us
via Zoom this time, is StateSenator Casey Weinstein.
Senator, it's good to have youhere, welcome.
Speaker 4 (26:24):
Thank you so much for having me.
This is such an important issue, very timely, always timely,
but in particular because of ourwork in the Statehouse on the
budget.
Very timely discussion, soappreciate you having me on.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Well, let's jump right into that.
We are hearing here, and, and,and you know, a lot of
nonprofits, a lot oforganizations are hearing from
state lawmakers.
This is this is a tough budgetyear.
Help our listeners tounderstand why that is.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
You know, without getting overtly political, the
challenge that I see is that wepass tax cuts and revenue tends
to decrease or not increase atthe rate that we hope it would,
and that forces us to back intocuts in the next General
(27:15):
Assembly or not be in an optimalfunding environment, right.
So we, you know, have have donesome very marginal tax cuts.
I've actually voted for thebudgets because there's been a
lot of good things in thesebudgets in past years.
But these tax cuts aredisproportionately often going
to the wealthiest and then thatcreates a situation where
(27:38):
revenues decrease and we have tomake really, really tough
decisions on, you know,balancing school funding or
Medicaid or really importantprograms like suicide prevention
and the programs that areaddressing that issue.
Another tax cut, potentiallymoving toward a flat tax, which
(27:59):
we've been doing over successivegeneral assemblies, which is
predicted to bring in lessrevenue.
And then there are generalpolitical well, not political
economic headwinds and financialheadwinds that create some
additional uncertainty and, as aresult, there becomes pressure
on of all those things.
(28:19):
There becomes pressure on ofall those things.
There becomes pressure on whatwe're going to invest in as a
state.
So that's the sort of thedefensive crouch that that we're
in from an investmentperspective in Ohio.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Well, our podcast and our mission here at OSPF is
mental health and suicideprevention.
Senator, as you know, you are agreat advocate and champion for
suicide prevention.
We are constantly building andexecuting our campaigns,
building partnerships andadvocating for access to mental
health services in every cornerof Ohio.
What's your 30,000 foot view ofour state's overall mental
(28:53):
health right now?
Speaker 4 (28:54):
I think it's a mixed bag, Like, Like.
We've seen progress, butsuicide is still, and remains,
the second leading cause ofdeath for Ohioans, especially
for younger Ohioans, so age 10to 14 and 20 to 34.
So that is a shocking statisticthat I share with people,
(29:17):
because there can also be kindof a stigma around it and it's
not something that that maybepeople are of as as aware of as
they need to be.
But we need to be talking aboutthis um, second leading cause
of death, especially for youngOhioans.
That is unacceptable.
So we, we absolutely need tocontinue, uh, with resources,
(29:38):
actionable steps, collaborationfrom the great groups like yours
that are out there addressingthis issue.
We still have a lot of work togo, or a lot of work to do,
excuse me, and a long way to goto get to.
You know the number that wewant to get to, which is zero,
as our you know kind of ourguiding light here for this, for
this issue.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
Senator, we, rachel, asked you about the 30,000 foot
level.
Let's come down to ground levelin your district, in District
28.
What are you hearing from yourconstituents about their mental
health, behavioral health, needsand wants?
Speaker 4 (30:13):
People are definitely feeling a range of just in
general, a range of anxietiesand stresses and I hear about
that from my constituents a lot.
I hear especially about youngpeople.
You know, when I was growing up, I didn't have access to this.
I think we can say we didn'thave as much access to all of
(30:34):
this information and news and Iwas sheltered to some extent
about what was going on in theworld.
We didn't have social media, wedidn't have, you know, a lot of
the cyber bullying that comesalong with that.
We didn't have so much exposureto so many threats to our
mental health.
So I continually hear aboutbullying, cyber bullying and
(30:59):
stresses and pressures on youngpeople and the data right, the
data show that that's a realissue for us in the state and
that no exception here locallyin Summit County.
I live in Hudson, ohio, and youknow in Summit County in my
district is Akron andsurrounding cities all the way
up to Hudson.
So it's a wide range ofcommunities but it's a common
(31:19):
problem and people are concernedabout rollbacks in the programs
, whether they be federallyfunded or state funded, that
provide that safety net and thatfabric that we need, that
social fabric that provides theresources for people when
they're in crisis or they're inneed of help any range of help
(31:41):
right.
So Governor DeWine has beenreally good over the years about
addressing these social safetynet programs, wraparound
services, critical countyprograms from a state
perspective that provide a lotof the safety nets and the
resources for people who have,who need mental health support,
(32:02):
and those are just.
You know, typically the budgetcomes to the house and then it's
the cuts begin right and that'sthe.
That's the challenge.
We've been able to findbipartisan pathways in the in
the past few years to maintainthat support and maintain those
investment levels.
But I'm a little more concernedthis year, between the federal
(32:23):
and state pressure, that wecould see rollbacks in the
resources at the local levelthat we really, really need.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
Well, I was going to say.
That pretty much answers ournext question.
Could some of those resourcesbe cut in the budget?
I think that is that.
That sounds like one of yourconcerns, Senator.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Yeah, and so, in particular, the budget's a big
thing, right, and it's it'salmost $90 billion over two
years.
There are so many differentinterest groups, but this is one
that, because your organizationand so many others have done
great, great advocacy, we payreally close attention to, and,
(33:01):
in particular, there's a lineitem for the 988 suicide crisis
response line.
It was funded at $25.8 million,but it drops in the following
year and then it's unclear aboutFY27.
There could be a drop there.
So when we're talking about,like we talked about earlier,
(33:21):
this is still a problem, areally, really significant
problem, and really kind of, atbest, we've got mixed results
addressing it.
Right now, we have to havethose resources available for
folks.
So anytime I see cuts in a timeof escalating costs and prices,
I get really, really concerned,and that's something that when
the budget gets to us in theSenate which it will in the next
(33:42):
month that I'm going to beworking on, trying to shorter
that funding up.
Speaker 2 (33:47):
Now I don't want to start a rivalry here when it
comes to military service.
So my brother-in-law justretired with 36 years in the
Army.
Rachel, you've got Marines inyour family, right, my?
Speaker 1 (33:59):
boyfriend is a Marine , my dad was 32 years in law
enforcement, my other brother'sin the Army, my one brother's in
the Air Force Senator.
So I will.
I'll give you some points there.
Speaker 2 (34:10):
I did have one brother in the Air Force your
smartest brother, for sure.
Speaker 1 (34:13):
He is my favorite.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
Well, to Rachel's point, you're a veteran senator,
proud graduate of the Air ForceAcademy as well.
By the way, if anybody's nevertaken the tour of the Air Force
Academy, that is awesome.
Speaker 4 (34:26):
We met while we were at the Academy.
We were in the cadet gymnasiumbetween our junior and senior
year and I was like moving a TVthat was mounted to the wall and
it came off the wall Like itwas an old school TV, like I'd
(34:48):
have to tell kids this, likecathode ray tube TV, oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:53):
Weight like 300 pounds.
Speaker 4 (34:55):
Yeah, basically Right .
And she.
She rescued me, you know, as Icried out for help when it broke
off.
That is the best love story 22years ago, almost gosh, and we
were back for a 20-year reunionand it was breathtaking.
I love Ohio, Love Ohio, butvery different from the
(35:17):
mountains and just seeing thoseand having been away for so long
Because I grew up in New Mexicoit really it's different going
back.
So, it was really nice to gointo a place although it was a
very high-pressure environmentas the nation's premier service
academy.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
Shots fired.
Shots fired.
Speaker 4 (35:41):
But to be in that kind of scenery and that kind of
environment is a beautifulthing.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Let's talk about some outreach to veterans and to men
and women in uniform on thepublic safety side.
Please fire first responders toveterans and to men and women
in uniform on the public safetyside police, fire first
responders.
You know about our campaignhere at OSPF called LifeSide
Ohio, and that's who we reachout to.
We reach out to veterans, wereach out to those others in
uniform as well police and fireand first responders Again,
those people on the scene whoare running into emergencies to
(36:10):
protect all of us.
The great thing about LifeSideis that now we are bringing all
those groups I just mentionedand connecting them with county
suicide prevention coalitionsall around the state.
So the sharing of information,the breaking down of stereotypes
and stigmas.
Can you talk about how thatwork is really so important,
(36:31):
especially in those veteranscommunities and those public
safety communities?
You talk about how that work isreally so important, especially
in those veterans communitiesand those public safety
communities?
Speaker 4 (36:36):
Thank you for bringing that up and, first of
all, thank you and your familiesfor your service too.
We joke about the inter-servicerivalries, but it is a
beautiful thing to serve andgive back, whether that's as a
first responder at the locallevel I mean frankly what you're
doing today in helping peopleand give back whether that's as
a first responder at the locallevel I mean frankly what you're
doing today in helping peopleand giving back or certainly in
(36:57):
the military.
But, yeah, there are uniquepressures that come with that
and we have to recognize thatand it really shows up,
unfortunately, in the numbers ofsuicides.
It's twice the rate whencomparing it to the population
as a whole, and so we lost 232Ohioans in the last year I have
(37:24):
2022, 232 Ohioans veterans diedof suicide.
We absolutely have to recognizethat and there's a layered
approach between what the VAdoes at the federal level and
what we can do at the statelevel and what you're doing as
part of that to address it.
(37:46):
And I think it's just arecognition about PTSD.
The stresses and pressures andthe experiences.
You know, life-threateningexperiences that can happen on a
daily basis in those rolesrequire unique resources and
unique programs and ways toaddress those problems.
I'm so thankful for the workthat you're doing to address it
(38:07):
and making those connections.
One thing that I really worryabout is that we have this great
network of organizations andgroups, but is there awareness
about them and are there cracksthat folks can fall through?
And when you talk about thatconnective tissue and that
networking, that's how toaddress that and ensure that
when people need support,especially our first responders
(38:30):
and veterans, that they get it.
So absolutely critical workthat you're doing.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Overall, how can we at OSPF or any other
organization, make our case tolawmakers about the life-saving
work that we do?
What's your best piece ofadvice?
Speaker 4 (38:48):
One is just education right.
There is, as I mentioned earlier, there is a stigma, a taboo
about discussing this right thatstill permeates.
I think discussing it andeducating about it is such a
(39:13):
huge part of solving thechallenge, because you
understand what the problem is,where it is, who it's affecting,
and then we can start reallywell you already are, but we can
continue to get better aboutaddressing it.
So that awareness is soimportant and you know, just on
a on a personal level, when youare able to relay stories and
(39:37):
there are there are folks whoare willing to advocate and
maybe have been impacted bysuicide or work in the field
when you can sit down with yourlegislator and talk about this,
it is the least partisan issuein the world.
This affects everybody and itis something that everyone I
think I can speak for all of mycolleagues here, which is not
(39:58):
often the case, but everybodywants to work on this, advocate
on this, reduce this crisis.
So do that, and in-person is thebest way to do that and for me
as a legislator, I really try tobe available and accessible,
whether it's in my office at thestate house or in the district
(40:18):
over coffee, you know to show upand sit down and have this
human interaction about whatthis problem is and educating on
the scale of it, the localimpact, maybe a personal story
or some connection that reallyresonates and it moves us to
take specific action on thisissue, which is so, so important
(40:41):
.
So the advocacy, your voice,matters.
And the second thing I'd say isthe budget matters.
So now is the right time to doit, right when we are putting
together the budget that willdictate the funding levels for
the next two years.
So your voice matters and thetiming is right.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
Well, and let's let our listeners know, rachel, when
we at OSPF had our advocacy daya few weeks ago, who was there
to headline the morningconversation with all the folks
in that Sheraton ballroom?
Senator, it was you, and youalways step up when it comes to
this cause, when it comes tomental health and suicide
(41:20):
prevention.
So thank you for joining ustoday, thank you for your public
service and, again, just youroverall advocacy.
As you know, it matters.
Speaker 4 (41:29):
It does, and I so appreciate that.
Your group is amazing in youradvocacy.
You've got a great team.
You're doing the most importantwork.
So you know what, as legislators, sometimes there's so much on
our plates that we need thesegroups to help us be the best
representatives for this cause.
(41:52):
Right, because your time couldbe consumed with a hundred other
things.
But when you have great groupslike yours, it reminds us and it
keeps it top of mind and itcompels us because it's the
right thing to do, to takeaction, and I'm very thankful to
be in a position to do that,thankful for the bipartisan
(42:17):
support that we had on thatpanel and that I know we'll have
in the budget.
And you know, get us on therecord um and committing to
continuing this funding.
Now is the right time to dothat and I I promise to work as
hard as I can uh to continueshowing up um for the community,
and I am always available.
You can find me at SenatorWeinstein across social media or
just Google our office andreach out, always willing to
(42:40):
meet anybody, whether you're myconstituent up in Summit County
or not.
Always, always willing to sitdown and talk about this issue
and help however I can.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
Thank you so much, Senator.
Speaker 2 (42:52):
This has been a great discussion.
We'll certainly have you backfor future discussions as well.
To our listeners when youlisten to our episodes, you
break stigmas, you breakbarriers and you care about
mental health and saving lives.
This is Voices for SuicidePrevention, brought to you by
the Ohio Suicide PreventionFoundation.
Welcome to another episode of Voices for Suicide
Prevention.
As we like to say, ourconversations are real talk,
real honest, real life.
I'm Rachel Tilson.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And I'm Scott Light.
So our OSPF office is locatedjust a stone's throw from the
State House, and boy, that placeis absolutely cranking.
Right now it's a budget year,as a lot of people know,
governor DeWine unveiled hisbudget priorities in early
February.
So right now, budget hearings,testimony all that that's begun
in the House.
Then it'll be the Senate's turn.
(00:32):
After that and, rachel, youknow this as well Governor has
to sign the budget by June 30that midnight.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
We are so honored to have a couple of lawmakers join
us for this episode.
Our first guest is staterepresentative and vice chair.
Is that correct?
It is Of the House of Childrenand Human Services
Representative, Jody Salvo, fromDistrict 51.
Welcome to this episode.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Thank you, I'm glad to be here, it's good to have
you here.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
There are a lot of.
Let's start out broad and thenwe'll get into some specifics.
We are hearing here from a lotof folks.
We talked to a lot of folkshere from our perch at OSPF.
A lot of state lawmakers arecalling this a tough budget year
.
Help us, representative, tounderstand why.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Okay, first of all, just let you know I am a brand
new legislator so I've kind ofwalked into this beginning in
January.
So it does feel like you'redrinking from a fire hose.
I can't even tell you how quickthis is moving and trying to
figure out the Ohio budget.
But I definitely think this isa challenging year and, as we
(01:35):
all know, we're still just offthe back of the pandemic.
So for the last four years Ithink a lot of us, across every
services and program Great,great opportunities just to
(02:09):
develop needed programming herein the state of Ohio and I know
that even I was a director of aprevention department back in my
home district and you know wewere certainly creating
programming and I think becauseof that funding that was coming
into communities, with theremoval or the stopping of those
(02:32):
funds, I think there's just alot of competition for services
and programmings because we havelimited dollars at this point.
So you're making toughdecisions on what can you expand
and what might need to be cutback a little bit.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
So it's difficult.
Yeah, I heard the mayor ofCincinnati talking and he said
hey, listen, once all thesefederal dollars are out of our
pipeline, we're going to have tomake some hard choices and I
think a lot of cities and townsare facing that.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Well, and being on youth and human services, I had
the opportunity to hear hundredsof testimonies of wonderful
work that's happening acrossOhio.
You know, from job and familyservices, programming, mental
health, behavioral health,whatever that might be, there's
(03:26):
a lot of good work being done tobest practices, to fidelity.
But then you have to step backand say do these programs hit
all of Ohio?
So if there was a lot offunding maybe concentrated in
one area and we had the fundingto support that, you're looking
to say, okay, do we have enoughof these services and programs
(03:48):
in rural?
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Ohio.
So to your point all of Ohio.
Does it affect all of Ohio?
What is your 30,000 foot viewof our state's overall mental
health?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
right now really dealing with challenging times
with behavioral health, and I'mgoing to say I think that goes
back to the pandemic.
We went through a period oftime where we were in isolation,
we were not connected andsometimes and I say this with
(04:19):
hesitancy, I think as we'recoming out we swung from one end
of the pendulum to the other.
So you know, when I worked withyoung people prior to the
pandemic man, we were taxingthem out everywhere.
You know from over-programmingin schools and you need to get
(04:40):
the best grades and you need tobe involved in every activity at
the school district.
And then, of course, for thepandemic, and we needed to focus
on mental health.
We needed to speak aboutanxiety and depression and some
of those areas.
So I think we also went alittle far on even defining what
is normal challenges that weface to what is a mental health
(05:05):
crisis.
So I think some of that swingin the pendulum I think we're
still trying to figure out.
You know where a medium balanceis and you know inflation at
this point and you know we camethrough, we're going through, a
really tumultuous political time.
I think there's just so manythings still coming at our
(05:29):
communities and we're still notquite back to normal as far as
and we see that in ourcommunities it's much more
difficult to get people to cometo learn.
And I'll go back to schools,like prior, if we had an issue
that was rising in a school,maybe it was suicide.
I'm just trying to think ofdifferent topics that normally
(05:52):
we could raise awareness, wecould get people out, we could
have town halls, we could haveconversations, and I find that
that looks a little morechallenging, at least in the
district I live.
So I think it's getting peopleback to the table on how do we
do community together.
So I think we're still workinga little bit in isolation, which
I think does impact some ofthis mental health stuff.
(06:15):
And when you look at inflation,you look at cost of living, you
look at behavioral health,workforce challenges.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I mean, we do not have enough workers.
That's right.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
I think that's also adding to this crisis that the
need is great because of theenvironment we're in right now
and yet we have troubleaccessing the services.
So I will let you know from thelegislature we're really
looking at that and they havebeen committed to this over the
last couple of years.
How do we get more people intothe mental health field?
(06:51):
How do we increase capacity?
How do we invest in workforce?
Because it's hard.
Um, you absolutely see higherintensity needs for young people
.
Um so you know, even though wemight see fewer kids in foster
care right now, the amount ofneed is just much greater than
(07:13):
we've ever seen.
So, 30,000 foot view, there'sjust a lot going on, and I think
there's a lot of commitment,there's a lot of passion,
there's a lot of attention toinvesting in prevention,
investing in treatment, but Ithink we're still in a rough
place right now.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, you mentioned your community.
What are you hearing from yourconstituents on their needs?
Speaker 3 (07:38):
One of them is that access to care.
I mean we can have greatprograms and we have great
organizations but it can takeyou five to six weeks to get in
to see, to even be seen orscreened.
So I mean that's difficult.
I mean, even if we have someonego through an ER, we still
(08:01):
might not be able to get them tosee someone right away.
So and then you know, when youlook at job and family services,
the need, the level of care forour young people is high.
So that's a concern oncommunities and I know I'm here
with the Ohio Suicide PreventionFoundation.
Death by suicide is very high inmy district.
(08:25):
So I applaud the efforts thathave been going on in Ohio and
we have seen a 1% decreaseoverall in Ohio on suicide.
But it's very interesting, inmy district we've actually seen
an 18% increase in death bysuicide.
But let me tell you what thedemographics is 100% of our
(08:48):
deaths have been males.
All but two have been 40 andover.
So you know we just started asuicide death review board, so
we're just now starting to diginto that.
But me just kind of looking atthe situation, you can't not say
well, stigma is always going tobe that thing that we're really
(09:12):
working to diminish or todecrease.
But you know, you do have tothink about just our financial
situation, the costs, and Ithink of men.
I think often, you know, menbear that weight of you know I
got to take care of my family.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
That's right.
That's right, I'm a provider.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, and I know, the other day I went into the
grocery store and I went to buymeat and I actually gasped I'm
like.
But when you think, if you livein a rural community,
transportation's an issue, costof living is high, so I think
some of those stigma is still abig concern.
(09:51):
Access to care is a big concern.
So I would say for my communitythat might be some of the work.
And again, high intensive needsof our kids and we struggle
with childcare options.
We struggle with foster careplacement, foster care homes,
(10:11):
residential placements they'renot in our rural communities.
So a lot of that, I think,plays out in my district because
we are a little bit more rural.
So access and care.
I think really contributes to amental health crisis.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
You know, the statistic that 80% of our
suicides are middle-aged men inOhio still rings true.
And just hearing that in yourspecific district, the the
statistic of them all beingmiddle-aged white men are just,
it never gets easier to hear it.
Just, it's a gut punch.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Every time it never gets easier to hear it's a gut
punch every time and that one'shard as a legislator because I
know we fiercely need to protectand help our young people, and
then when you get into limitedresources, where do you place
them?
It's much easier to advocate forthat young person and I really
(11:04):
there's a passion on my heart tomake sure we understand, you
know, death by suicide mentalhealth challenges is across the
entire continuum and if we donot have healthy mouths, fathers
, grandfathers, that are able tohave conversations that can get
to a place that you knowsometimes that seeking help is
(11:27):
the harder thing to do, it is,but it's certainly an effective
thing to do and it models it foryoung people.
You know, and I think if youknow our men are healthy.
It also can help, you know,with that family structure and a
community structure.
It also can help with thatfamily structure and a community
structure.
(11:47):
So I will be a voice to makesure that we're very mindful of
all the needs that we have,especially around mental health
in our state.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Yeah Well, to the credit of lawmakers like you and
Governor DeWine, Ohio has uppedmental health resources
statewide, with the specialemphasis on reaching our rural
friends, families and neighbors.
Are you worried that some ofthose resources could be cut in
this budget?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Speaking to my colleagues, I think we all get
this as a priority and peoplemight come to this issue from a
whole bunch of different angles,but we can talk to all those
different perspectives Right now.
Now there's a big push in Ohioto make sure that we have a
workforce.
I mean, we have so much greatthings happening in Ohio.
(12:31):
We have a chamber of commercethat is doing an amazing job.
We have legislators that aremaking sure that this is such a
work-friendly state, but we needworkers.
So I think for people that arecoming from that business
perspective to say, look, weneed to invest in mental health
services so we have a healthy,viable workforce.
(12:54):
So there's some people thatthat language can kind of help
understand, and there's a lot ofus.
I mean, you do not run foroffice if you do not care about
your communities period.
So we can't run for office, wecan't live in our communities
without seeing the need.
So it's very apparent whenyou're in your communities that
(13:16):
these are issues we have to dealwith.
So I do think it's a priorityissue.
I think you know we're notgoing to cut if we don't have to
, but we're a state with abalanced budget and I'm glad we
have that.
Our decisions have to be made,but you know I really respect
Andrea White, who's the chair ofYouth and Human Services.
(13:38):
We have the Medicaid committee.
A lot of us are just makingsure.
You know, part of government isto take care of our
disadvantaged population.
So I would say we're doing thebest we can to be very mindful
of the needs in our communities.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
You mentioned the chamber.
The chamber hosted us, in fact,the week that we're doing this
recording here, so just a coupleof days ago, for one of our
campaigns here at OSPF and it'scalled Lifeside Ohio.
Lifeside Ohio is largely acampaign by firearms owners, for
firearms owners, to talk aboutlethal means safety, to talk
(14:17):
about mental health and suicideprevention.
And we reach out to veteransgroups, police, fire first
responders, so public safety andto retailers.
We've got just tremendousfirearms retail partners all
across the state, Great partners, Great partners, and there are
a lot of gun owners all overOhio, but also in your district.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So first of all I love the work of LifeSite Ohio
Absolutely and I'm from a ruralcommunity so just absolutely
love that work.
And where I think it is sospecial is a lot of times you
get into some of the behavioralhealth spaces.
And I'll say in my community wehave a large prevention
(14:58):
coalition but it might beweighted more female and when
you're tackling some of thoseissues in a gun-owning community
, I mean gun ownership is veryhigh in your rural communities
honey.
I mean it's a way to recreate tojust everything.
But you can't come in if you'renot someone that's really in
(15:24):
that gun community and reallyhave a discussion about firearms
.
So it's just super effective.
So for us, when we go visit ourgun ranges and short stops and
everything, it's someone withinthat community that's going.
So it's the right person tohave that right conversation.
Same with working with veterans.
(15:46):
Our veterans are the ones thathandle all that work and
honestly, we support them.
You know they tell us whattheir people need, what that
looks like, and we're like great.
You know, we got your back.
Tell us what you need, we'llget the resources and services.
So again, it's culturallycompetent.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
And.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
I think it's so much better received.
And I'll tell you the other one, and I don't know if you were
going to bring this up, but mantherapy.
Oh I love man therapy, so mantherapy from my perspective,
that is the best program for menthat I have ever seen and I
remember when we first broughtit into our community, you know
(16:30):
there were some counselors andstuff like what in the world is
this?
Speaker 2 (16:34):
They're making a joke of this.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Yeah, but I think to hit men where they're at the
humor is so disarming.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
And you know it's hard to talk about mental health
.
I would say it is.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Especially if you're a man?
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Yeah, it is Females.
We just kind of go for it.
It's just it kind of melts outof us, but it's difficult.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
It is.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
So to have an opportunity that you can kind of
have some coarse and humorousposters.
They work really well inbusinesses.
Employers have no problemsplacing them up, nor do gun
ranges or, you know, bars,athletic clubs, whatever that
might be.
But I think that goes hand inhand with LifeSite Ohio.
(17:18):
It's an opportunity that you'rehaving conversations, you're
putting something up thatdirects people to resources that
they can do in the privacy oftheir own home.
That head inspection allowsthem to go.
Ah, maybe something is going onhere, but I think just the
approach that it has.
But when you marry those twotogether, in a community
(17:41):
especially when you're trying toreduce stigma and you're trying
to educate and create awareness, because it's not preachy,
there's nothing coming at you,it's just saying, hey, there's
an issue here, let's try tounderstand it and let's know
help.
Help is good.
Resources are great.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
Rachel and I love it when we get a call here from
again a county suicideprevention coalition and they'll
say can we get one of yourretailers to be one of our
public speakers to come in andhelp us understand gun culture?
Just come in and help usunderstand who we're treating in
our respective communities.
Seriously, it makes the hair onthe back of my neck stand up,
(18:23):
because that's how you know thatyou're breaking down barriers.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
It's great.
I love the word gun culture.
I was struggling with wordsthere, so gun culture, thank you
.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Sure.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
But no, there's so much work to be done there and I
think that is the only way thatwe're going to have those
conversations, because they needto be safe.
I think people are concernedabout the loss of gun and gun
rights and that's just a trickyconversation, so it needs to be
someone within their own worldto be able to have those
(18:56):
conversations.
Like look, no one is trying totake away guns, that's right.
That is not the objective.
It is just understanding safetyand just understanding some of
the struggles we're dealing withmental health in our current
climate right now.
So what are some conversationsthat we can have?
Speaker 2 (19:16):
And it goes the other way.
Once social workers or thosegreat nonprofits out there or
those suicide preventioncoalitions, once they get to
know the retailers personally,then they're not thinking well,
they're just out to make a buck,no.
Then they get to know Joe atBlackwing or Mark Leach at Vance
Outdoors.
Those are a couple of our bigpublic speakers.
(19:37):
But that's when you build arelationship, you build trust.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Right.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Thin Feather Fur is one of our partners as well.
Speaker 3 (19:44):
So the first time I heard them speak, that was like
a light bulb for me.
I enjoyed understanding all thelevels they have because they
don't want to sell a gun tosomeone that might be at risk.
That's the last thing they wantfor themselves, for any of
(20:05):
their clerks, you know.
And then you hear that with gunranges you know they want
responsible use.
So I think everyone should golisten to one of those at
Lifesite Ohio because I think ithelps people understand.
You know that gun world in avery different way.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Yeah, you did mention hearing from your veterans.
I want to go back to that.
We know that there is a mentalhealth crisis with veterans and
first responders.
What do the folks in uniform inyour district have to say?
What do they need?
Speaker 3 (20:44):
what do they need?
We work a lot with theCleveland VA.
So for our veterans they havelike a SAVE VA I think that's
what it's called like theirversion of QPR, so we try to
again meet people right wherethey're at, so just really using
the services and programs thatare important to them.
So I think for our veterans wevery much let them guide exactly
(21:04):
where it needs to be and,because it's more veteran driven
, as a community we really justprovide those resources.
I think for law enforcement, Ithink offering like QPR and
mental health first aid trainingis helpful.
Like QPR and mental healthfirst aid training is helpful
because even if they do notthink it's for them, they're
(21:24):
getting an understanding ofmental health, Because I think
that's a really hard profession.
Sometimes we get law enforcementfirst responders.
I think often they have to justdisconnect for their thinking
part of their head becausethey're seeing so much all the
time.
So providing opportunitieswhere they can learn about
(21:47):
mental health in safe spaces, Ithink like man therapy is super
helpful for them because you canput that up, you know, in the
station and again not have thoseconversations and let that be a
little more self-directed.
But I think what we can do ascommunities.
Just be very supportive of ourfirst responders and you know,
(22:11):
all those on the front lines,because that is, those are
professions where they've neverbeen encouraged to talk about
mental health.
And I know there's a lot ofconcerns about if I discuss what
I'm feeling.
Am I going to lose access to myfarm or my ability practice?
Speaker 2 (22:33):
And could it hurt a promotion if they bring it up?
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Absolutely.
So I almost wonder and I'm justthinking out loud as I'm saying
this they do have to just kindof disassociate from what they
see day to day.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
It's just hard.
You know I have such a heartfor our veterans and first
responders.
I'm glad you brought that upbecause that'll be one that I'm
going to be more mindful of,because I don't think we have
great solutions in our community.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
I mean back home for that population.
As we do start to wrap up ourconversation.
Representative for us here atOSPF and this goes out to the
larger nonprofit community outthere how can we better make our
case to lawmakers about thelifesaving work that's being
done?
Speaker 3 (23:37):
Okay, and I just saw you on Cap Square Adv.
Cap Square Advocacy.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Day, about a week or two ago.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
This is what I would say for effective advocacy
Really encourage your members tocreate relationships with their
legislators.
Get to know theirrepresentatives and senators,
and it doesn't even need to becoming here to Columbus.
Call the office, schedule atime back home, because I think
(24:04):
the more they have thatrelationship with you it's not a
once and done, here's a requestfor a budget item or for a
program it's that they know youfrom their community.
Get to know your legislator tobe an expert on the issue.
You know we're involved in thisissue.
This is why this is what'shappening in our community, so
(24:26):
they can understand how thisimpacts their district.
Also, let them know whatsolutions you have.
You know, look, we have LifeSiteOhio and it's a great way to
partner, you know, with that guncommunity.
We have, you know, man therapyand this is a great opportunity,
(24:46):
you know, to really increaseaccess and awareness and
education on mental healthservices in the workforce and
there can be a what's in it forthem.
You know, hey, can you partnerwith me, say if you're from that
social service world, andthat's going to be a win-win for
them and for you, because ifyou're from a behavioral health,
(25:08):
that might not be that partnerthat you have the strongest
relationship with, but yourrepresentative senator might.
So to then pull them into thework you're doing, I think is
super helpful because they havea platform, they have a lot of
connections.
It gives them an opportunity toshare stuff.
(25:28):
They can also share informationon their Facebook page, on
their social media page.
So I would say, the more youcan create that relationship and
get them as a partner in thework you're doing, it's going to
be easy sell.
We're having these mentalhealth challenges.
(25:49):
They know that and I think ifyou can engage them really at
that district level, I thinkthen you're going to have a lot
of support when we have budgetrequests, programming requests.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
So I would say, relationship, relationship,
relationship, yeah you guys wantto hear from your constituents,
yep.
That's amazing RepresentativeSalvo.
Thank you so much for yourpublic service.
Thank you for being a championfor mental health and suicide
prevention and for joining ustoday.
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
It was a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Our next guest coming from the Statehouse, joining us
via Zoom this time, is StateSenator Casey Weinstein.
Senator, it's good to have youhere, welcome.
Speaker 4 (26:24):
Thank you so much for having me.
This is such an important issue, very timely, always timely,
but in particular because of ourwork in the Statehouse on the
budget.
Very timely discussion, soappreciate you having me on.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Well, let's jump right into that.
We are hearing here, and, and,and you know, a lot of
nonprofits, a lot oforganizations are hearing from
state lawmakers.
This is this is a tough budgetyear.
Help our listeners tounderstand why that is.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
You know, without getting overtly political, the
challenge that I see is that wepass tax cuts and revenue tends
to decrease or not increase atthe rate that we hope it would,
and that forces us to back intocuts in the next General
(27:15):
Assembly or not be in an optimalfunding environment, right.
So we, you know, have have donesome very marginal tax cuts.
I've actually voted for thebudgets because there's been a
lot of good things in thesebudgets in past years.
But these tax cuts aredisproportionately often going
to the wealthiest and then thatcreates a situation where
(27:38):
revenues decrease and we have tomake really, really tough
decisions on, you know,balancing school funding or
Medicaid or really importantprograms like suicide prevention
and the programs that areaddressing that issue.
Another tax cut, potentiallymoving toward a flat tax, which
(27:59):
we've been doing over successivegeneral assemblies, which is
predicted to bring in lessrevenue.
And then there are generalpolitical well, not political
economic headwinds and financialheadwinds that create some
additional uncertainty and, as aresult, there becomes pressure
on of all those things.
(28:19):
There becomes pressure on ofall those things.
There becomes pressure on whatwe're going to invest in as a
state.
So that's the sort of thedefensive crouch that that we're
in from an investmentperspective in Ohio.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Well, our podcast and our mission here at OSPF is
mental health and suicideprevention.
Senator, as you know, you are agreat advocate and champion for
suicide prevention.
We are constantly building andexecuting our campaigns,
building partnerships andadvocating for access to mental
health services in every cornerof Ohio.
What's your 30,000 foot view ofour state's overall mental
(28:53):
health right now?
Speaker 4 (28:54):
I think it's a mixed bag, Like, Like.
We've seen progress, butsuicide is still, and remains,
the second leading cause ofdeath for Ohioans, especially
for younger Ohioans, so age 10to 14 and 20 to 34.
So that is a shocking statisticthat I share with people,
(29:17):
because there can also be kindof a stigma around it and it's
not something that that maybepeople are of as as aware of as
they need to be.
But we need to be talking aboutthis um, second leading cause
of death, especially for youngOhioans.
That is unacceptable.
So we, we absolutely need tocontinue, uh, with resources,
(29:38):
actionable steps, collaborationfrom the great groups like yours
that are out there addressingthis issue.
We still have a lot of work togo, or a lot of work to do,
excuse me, and a long way to goto get to.
You know the number that wewant to get to, which is zero,
as our you know kind of ourguiding light here for this, for
this issue.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
Senator, we, rachel, asked you about the 30,000 foot
level.
Let's come down to ground levelin your district, in District
28.
What are you hearing from yourconstituents about their mental
health, behavioral health, needsand wants?
Speaker 4 (30:13):
People are definitely feeling a range of just in
general, a range of anxietiesand stresses and I hear about
that from my constituents a lot.
I hear especially about youngpeople.
You know, when I was growing up, I didn't have access to this.
I think we can say we didn'thave as much access to all of
(30:34):
this information and news and Iwas sheltered to some extent
about what was going on in theworld.
We didn't have social media, wedidn't have, you know, a lot of
the cyber bullying that comesalong with that.
We didn't have so much exposureto so many threats to our
mental health.
So I continually hear aboutbullying, cyber bullying and
(30:59):
stresses and pressures on youngpeople and the data right, the
data show that that's a realissue for us in the state and
that no exception here locallyin Summit County.
I live in Hudson, ohio, and youknow in Summit County in my
district is Akron andsurrounding cities all the way
up to Hudson.
So it's a wide range ofcommunities but it's a common
(31:19):
problem and people are concernedabout rollbacks in the programs
, whether they be federallyfunded or state funded, that
provide that safety net and thatfabric that we need, that
social fabric that provides theresources for people when
they're in crisis or they're inneed of help any range of help
(31:41):
right.
So Governor DeWine has beenreally good over the years about
addressing these social safetynet programs, wraparound
services, critical countyprograms from a state
perspective that provide a lotof the safety nets and the
resources for people who have,who need mental health support,
(32:02):
and those are just.
You know, typically the budgetcomes to the house and then it's
the cuts begin right and that'sthe.
That's the challenge.
We've been able to findbipartisan pathways in the in
the past few years to maintainthat support and maintain those
investment levels.
But I'm a little more concernedthis year, between the federal
(32:23):
and state pressure, that wecould see rollbacks in the
resources at the local levelthat we really, really need.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
Well, I was going to say.
That pretty much answers ournext question.
Could some of those resourcesbe cut in the budget?
I think that is that.
That sounds like one of yourconcerns, Senator.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Yeah, and so, in particular, the budget's a big
thing, right, and it's it'salmost $90 billion over two
years.
There are so many differentinterest groups, but this is one
that, because your organizationand so many others have done
great, great advocacy, we payreally close attention to, and,
(33:01):
in particular, there's a lineitem for the 988 suicide crisis
response line.
It was funded at $25.8 million,but it drops in the following
year and then it's unclear aboutFY27.
There could be a drop there.
So when we're talking about,like we talked about earlier,
(33:21):
this is still a problem, areally, really significant
problem, and really kind of, atbest, we've got mixed results
addressing it.
Right now, we have to havethose resources available for
folks.
So anytime I see cuts in a timeof escalating costs and prices,
I get really, really concerned,and that's something that when
the budget gets to us in theSenate which it will in the next
(33:42):
month that I'm going to beworking on, trying to shorter
that funding up.
Speaker 2 (33:47):
Now I don't want to start a rivalry here when it
comes to military service.
So my brother-in-law justretired with 36 years in the
Army.
Rachel, you've got Marines inyour family, right, my?
Speaker 1 (33:59):
boyfriend is a Marine , my dad was 32 years in law
enforcement, my other brother'sin the Army, my one brother's in
the Air Force Senator.
So I will.
I'll give you some points there.
Speaker 2 (34:10):
I did have one brother in the Air Force your
smartest brother, for sure.
Speaker 1 (34:13):
He is my favorite.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
Well, to Rachel's point, you're a veteran senator,
proud graduate of the Air ForceAcademy as well.
By the way, if anybody's nevertaken the tour of the Air Force
Academy, that is awesome.
Speaker 4 (34:26):
We met while we were at the Academy.
We were in the cadet gymnasiumbetween our junior and senior
year and I was like moving a TVthat was mounted to the wall and
it came off the wall Like itwas an old school TV, like I'd
(34:48):
have to tell kids this, likecathode ray tube TV, oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:53):
Weight like 300 pounds.
Speaker 4 (34:55):
Yeah, basically Right .
And she.
She rescued me, you know, as Icried out for help when it broke
off.
That is the best love story 22years ago, almost gosh, and we
were back for a 20-year reunionand it was breathtaking.
I love Ohio, Love Ohio, butvery different from the
(35:17):
mountains and just seeing thoseand having been away for so long
Because I grew up in New Mexicoit really it's different going
back.
So, it was really nice to gointo a place although it was a
very high-pressure environmentas the nation's premier service
academy.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
Shots fired.
Shots fired.
Speaker 4 (35:41):
But to be in that kind of scenery and that kind of
environment is a beautifulthing.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Let's talk about some outreach to veterans and to men
and women in uniform on thepublic safety side.
Please fire first responders toveterans and to men and women
in uniform on the public safetyside police, fire first
responders.
You know about our campaignhere at OSPF called LifeSide
Ohio, and that's who we reachout to.
We reach out to veterans, wereach out to those others in
uniform as well police and fireand first responders Again,
those people on the scene whoare running into emergencies to
(36:10):
protect all of us.
The great thing about LifeSideis that now we are bringing all
those groups I just mentionedand connecting them with county
suicide prevention coalitionsall around the state.
So the sharing of information,the breaking down of stereotypes
and stigmas.
Can you talk about how thatwork is really so important,
(36:31):
especially in those veteranscommunities and those public
safety communities?
You talk about how that work isreally so important, especially
in those veterans communitiesand those public safety
communities?
Speaker 4 (36:36):
Thank you for bringing that up and, first of
all, thank you and your familiesfor your service too.
We joke about the inter-servicerivalries, but it is a
beautiful thing to serve andgive back, whether that's as a
first responder at the locallevel I mean frankly what you're
doing today in helping peopleand give back whether that's as
a first responder at the locallevel I mean frankly what you're
doing today in helping peopleand giving back or certainly in
(36:57):
the military.
But, yeah, there are uniquepressures that come with that
and we have to recognize thatand it really shows up,
unfortunately, in the numbers ofsuicides.
It's twice the rate whencomparing it to the population
as a whole, and so we lost 232Ohioans in the last year I have
(37:24):
2022, 232 Ohioans veterans diedof suicide.
We absolutely have to recognizethat and there's a layered
approach between what the VAdoes at the federal level and
what we can do at the statelevel and what you're doing as
part of that to address it.
(37:46):
And I think it's just arecognition about PTSD.
The stresses and pressures andthe experiences.
You know, life-threateningexperiences that can happen on a
daily basis in those rolesrequire unique resources and
unique programs and ways toaddress those problems.
I'm so thankful for the workthat you're doing to address it
(38:07):
and making those connections.
One thing that I really worryabout is that we have this great
network of organizations andgroups, but is there awareness
about them and are there cracksthat folks can fall through?
And when you talk about thatconnective tissue and that
networking, that's how toaddress that and ensure that
when people need support,especially our first responders
(38:30):
and veterans, that they get it.
So absolutely critical workthat you're doing.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Overall, how can we at OSPF or any other
organization, make our case tolawmakers about the life-saving
work that we do?
What's your best piece ofadvice?
Speaker 4 (38:48):
One is just education right.
There is, as I mentioned earlier, there is a stigma, a taboo
about discussing this right thatstill permeates.
I think discussing it andeducating about it is such a
(39:13):
huge part of solving thechallenge, because you
understand what the problem is,where it is, who it's affecting,
and then we can start reallywell you already are, but we can
continue to get better aboutaddressing it.
So that awareness is soimportant and you know, just on
a on a personal level, when youare able to relay stories and
(39:37):
there are there are folks whoare willing to advocate and
maybe have been impacted bysuicide or work in the field
when you can sit down with yourlegislator and talk about this,
it is the least partisan issuein the world.
This affects everybody and itis something that everyone I
think I can speak for all of mycolleagues here, which is not
(39:58):
often the case, but everybodywants to work on this, advocate
on this, reduce this crisis.
So do that, and in-person is thebest way to do that and for me
as a legislator, I really try tobe available and accessible,
whether it's in my office at thestate house or in the district
(40:18):
over coffee, you know to show upand sit down and have this
human interaction about whatthis problem is and educating on
the scale of it, the localimpact, maybe a personal story
or some connection that reallyresonates and it moves us to
take specific action on thisissue, which is so, so important
(40:41):
.
So the advocacy, your voice,matters.
And the second thing I'd say isthe budget matters.
So now is the right time to doit, right when we are putting
together the budget that willdictate the funding levels for
the next two years.
So your voice matters and thetiming is right.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
Well, and let's let our listeners know, rachel, when
we at OSPF had our advocacy daya few weeks ago, who was there
to headline the morningconversation with all the folks
in that Sheraton ballroom?
Senator, it was you, and youalways step up when it comes to
this cause, when it comes tomental health and suicide
(41:20):
prevention.
So thank you for joining ustoday, thank you for your public
service and, again, just youroverall advocacy.
As you know, it matters.
Speaker 4 (41:29):
It does, and I so appreciate that.
Your group is amazing in youradvocacy.
You've got a great team.
You're doing the most importantwork.
So you know what, as legislators, sometimes there's so much on
our plates that we need thesegroups to help us be the best
representatives for this cause.
(41:52):
Right, because your time couldbe consumed with a hundred other
things.
But when you have great groupslike yours, it reminds us and it
keeps it top of mind and itcompels us because it's the
right thing to do, to takeaction, and I'm very thankful to
be in a position to do that,thankful for the bipartisan
(42:17):
support that we had on thatpanel and that I know we'll have
in the budget.
And you know, get us on therecord um and committing to
continuing this funding.
Now is the right time to dothat and I I promise to work as
hard as I can uh to continueshowing up um for the community,
and I am always available.
You can find me at SenatorWeinstein across social media or
just Google our office andreach out, always willing to
(42:40):
meet anybody, whether you're myconstituent up in Summit County
or not.
Always, always willing to sitdown and talk about this issue
and help however I can.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
Thank you so much, Senator.
Speaker 2 (42:52):
This has been a great discussion.
We'll certainly have you backfor future discussions as well.
To our listeners when youlisten to our episodes, you
break stigmas, you breakbarriers and you care about
mental health and saving lives.
This is Voices for SuicidePrevention, brought to you by
the Ohio Suicide PreventionFoundation.
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