February 2022
Mental illness does not discriminate – affecting one out of four Americans. However, current research suggests that African Americans are much less likely to seek treatment. One reason is a lack of mental health professionals of color who can offer a shared perspective.

A key priority for the Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County is enhancing equitable, accessible care by addressing gaps within the system workforce to find new ways to identify, develop and retain diverse behavioral healthcare professionals. A long-term solution could not only serve to meet emerging staffing needs for provider agencies across our network, but also remove a barrier for those seeking care in our neighborhoods.

A representative workforce matters and informs the ADAMH commitment to playing a critical role in developing talented and diverse behavioral health professionals to serve and strengthen the care network. 

Throughout February, while our nation honors the contributions of African Americans in observance of Black History Month, ADAMH will diligently continue to pursue partnerships that advance the work of ensuring equitable access to mental healthcare for all persons residing in Franklin County.

Erika Clark Jones
ADAMH CEO
ADAMH - Where Better Begins.
Franklin County Crisis Center Receives $4 Million in Capital Support
Osteopathic Heritage Foundations Donate $2.5 Million
The Franklin County Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Center has received new capital support totaling $4 million, spearheaded by a leadership gift of $2.5 million from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations. In addition, the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation made a $1 million gift and The Columbus Foundation made a $500,000 gift to help build a centralized destination of care for adults with mental health and addiction crisis needs. 
Crisis Center Will Be Option in Mental Health Emergency
Columbus Dispatch Guest Column by Erika Clark Jones
"City of Columbus leaders should be applauded for increasing their investment in an alternative response for mental health and addiction-related 911 calls, which was recently covered in the Columbus Dispatch.

What we see in our community is that mental health crisis episodes are medical emergencies, but most often not public safety emergencies. It is important to triage calls at the point of entry - which, for most in our community is currently a call to 911."
2022 ADAMH Board of Trustees
ADAMH is guided by a Board of Trustees that is responsible for ensuring ADAMH fulfills its statutory obligations. The board is made up of 18 trustee members who are passionate about ensuring equitable and affordable mental health and addiction services throughout Franklin County. Ten trustees are appointed by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and eight are appointed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).

ADAMH recently welcomed four new trustees who were appointed by the OhioMHAS to serve on the board until June 2025.

Learn more about the ADAMH Board of Trustees on the ADAMH website.
Apply Now for ADAMH Community Mini-Grants
The ADAMH Mini-Grant Program provides small grants up to $5,000 to non-profit and faith-based organizations to support in-person and virtual programs, events or campaigns with a broad community impact that:
  • Raise awareness of behavioral health issues
  • Promote prevention
  • Reduce stigma
  • Increase resilience
  • Educate about diversity, equity and inclusion
 
Applications are reviewed monthly and are due the first Wednesday of each month. Applications must be received at least 60 days before the program or event begins. Explore the guidelines and application process online. Here are some examples of programs that ADAMH has supported in the past:
  • A day of empowerment and inspiration for teenage girls, moms and mentors to raise awareness about dating violence.
  • A campaign to create videos sharing mental health messages in different languages.
  • A one-day virtual program to address mental health stigma in the African American community.
Provider and Partner Events
Providers from the ADAMH network of care and ADAMH partners post their events, programs and support groups on the ADAMH event calendar. Check out the calendar to find more activities.
About ADAMH
ADAMH, the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board, is a Franklin County government agency which funds over 30 non-profits who offer mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs to Franklin County residents. These community non-profit organizations provide quality mental health as well as alcohol and drug addiction treatment services. We are dedicated to providing Franklin County residents with affordable, high quality alcohol, drug and mental health care. 

If you or someone you know needs treatment or services, call Netcare, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
614.276.CARE (2273)
@ADAMHFranklin
Where Better Begins.

Phone: 614.224.1057 | Fax: 614.224.0991 | adamhfranklin.org