Breaking down the walls of silence surrounding youth mental health takes courage, creativity, and compassion – qualities that shine brightly in our remarkable student guests this month.

Meet Ainslee Lloyd from Franklin High School and Aarush Mantro from St. Xavier High School, two passionate advocates serving on the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation's Youth Advisory Council. Their infectious energy and genuine commitment to helping their peers navigate mental health challenges offer a powerful glimpse into how today's youth are transforming these crucial conversations.

"Talking about mental health is kind of taboo, especially in an all-boys school," Aarush admits, reflecting on his initial hesitation before joining Sources of Strength, a nationwide prevention program implemented in Ohio schools. Both students now lead campaigns that foster belonging and connection.

The students don't shy away from tough topics, offering candid insights about substance misuse among friends seeking escape from emotional struggles and how bullying has evolved in the digital age. "It's not as obvious...it's a lot more under the radar," Ainslee explains, while Aarush notes how COVID isolation further complicated young people's ability to maintain face-to-face connections.

Their work extends beyond their schools as part of the Youth Advisory Council, where they've helped award grants to youth-led suicide prevention projects across Ohio and created "Nate," a clever mascot for the 988 crisis line with the slogan "Call Nate before it's too late."

Listen now to be inspired by these remarkable young advocates who remind us that every voice matters in suicide prevention, and even small actions can save lives.

The workplace mental health crisis is costing American businesses billions while leaving employees struggling without adequate support. This eye-opening conversation with Teresa Lampl, CEO of the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers, and Ashley Matthews, VP of Tax for Crane Group and Maryhaven Board Member, reveals the shocking reality behind mental health access in today's workforce.

When one in four adults experience mental health conditions annually but only half can access care, both human potential and business productivity suffer. The statistics are staggering: $300 billion lost annually from GDP due to untreated conditions, and 53% of working parents missing work monthly for their children's mental health needs. Beyond numbers, both guests share powerful personal journeys that highlight why this issue transcends business metrics.

The discussion also tackles the evolving stigma around mental health and the urgent need to treat brain health with the same priority as physical health. While social media has helped normalize conversations, persistent stereotypes still prevent many from seeking help. By valuing mental health as essential health and expanding access to the full continuum of care, businesses can create healthier workplaces while improving their bottom line.

Ready to transform how your organization approaches mental health? Listen now to discover practical strategies that benefit both your employees and your business success.

What does resilience look like in the face of unthinkable loss? Debbie McClintock found herself navigating that question when she lost both her husband Pete and son Logan to suicide within five months. Rather than letting grief define her story, she chose to honor how they lived.

"Pete had a really big heart," Debbie shares, describing a quiet computer programmer who loved chess and telling corny jokes. Logan, her "wanderer and dreamer," was sharp-witted with aspirations to teach English abroad. Father and son shared a special bond on the Appalachian Trail—a connection that later inspired a remarkable journey toward healing and advocacy.

Through therapy, scholarships, and becoming "trail angels," Debbie celebrated their legacies. A gift from her now-husband, Chip—a license plate honoring Logan’s trail name “Wolverine”—sparked a realization: Ohio had no suicide prevention plate. Within two years, they helped pass legislation signed by Governor Mike DeWine.

Today, Ohio’s first suicide prevention license plate raises awareness for the 988 Crisis Lifeline and supports men’s mental health programs. Call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential support.

According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, the economic impact of domestic violence in Ohio is formidable, costing the state $1.2 billion annually. Yet only $20 million is allocated to combat this crisis. This discrepancy affects thousands: while nearly 10,000 Ohioans found shelter last year, over 8,000 were turned away due to capacity issues. Annually, around 188,000 experience intimate partner violence, resulting in more than 100 fatalities.

We explore the complex web connecting domestic violence with brain injuries, substance use disorders, and suicide risk. Furthermore, evolving technologies offer new methods for abuse. Nonetheless, there remains hope, as one survivor said, "After trauma, it is possible to live a life you love."

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.

Executive Director Tony Coder describes OSPF's continual evolution to save lives by saying 2025 is a year to innovate. Tony joins this episode to look at the current state of mental health and suicide prevention in Ohio and beyond, plus details the initiatives that are growing and innovating to meet the needs in every corner of our state. Tony, Rachel, and Scott also tick through every campaign at OSPF with a high-level view of impactful outreach to young people, senior citizens, firearms owners, African American communities, and others where a specialized approach is needed. Indeed, OSPF is meeting that need. The partnerships and collaborations we've built not just in Ohio but nationally are expanding but there's always room for more mental health champions! Please listen to Tony's passionate plea to join this effort for you, your friends, neighbors, and family members. One community meeting, one Zoom call, and one new beginning can break more stigmas, break barriers to care, and ultimately, save lives. We know this at OSPF because we see these remarkable efforts every day!

There are statistics and there is culture. And sometimes, when the two mix, the outcome, to be very blunt, can be deadly. Black children 5-12 years old have been dying by suicide at double the rate of their white counterparts. Myriad factors contribute to that, including schools, poverty, hunger, crime, and access to healthcare. A recent survey of Black people points to nearly two-thirds of them saying a mental health condition is a sign of weakness. As with just about everything with mental health and suicide prevention, there's a lot of work to do. Fortunately, in Ohio, we have national leaders and advocates doing the work every day. There is also a campaign, “Life is Better With You Here,” solely focused on the mental health of the Black community. In this episode, renowned researcher, clinical psychologist and OSPF Consultant, Dr. Josephine Ridley, and entrepreneur and advocate Tracee Garrett join the show to talk about how this dynamic campaign helps address mental health obstacles facing Black communities. As Dr. Ridley adamantly shares, hope is powerful in someone's mental health journey but so is hopelessness. And we have to talk about both.

You've heard people say, 'Now that guy has lived a life!' It's an axiom that absolutely describes Dino Tripodis. You may know him as a former morning DJ for two decades in the Columbus radio market. But along the way, he's also been a private investigator, a touring comedian, an author, a screenwriter, a movie producer, and now an ambassador for us at OSPF! As Dino puts it, guys like him born in Gary, Indiana and then raised both in Chicago and Greece, aren't born and bred to talk about their mental health but if he has anything to do with it, that'll change. Here's the thing about Dino's amazing journey with stops all over the world: depression has been a constant throughout, and he's an open book about his battles with it. He also reveals to Scott and Rachel his secret weapon to fighting depression no matter where he's been or what he was doing at the time. And as we head into a new year, Dino is really excited to talk about his role with an OSPF campaign called 'Man Therapy'. He's a gifted storyteller, and it's his gifts in this episode that just may connect with a loved one or friend in need right now.