Mental Health in Ohio

Local MHRB works with state offices and organizations to improve quality of life for persons with mental illness

The Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH)

The Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) funds and coordinates public mental health services in the Ohio, sets standards for care, carries out the directives of legislation and operates state behavioral health care facilities.

Approximately one-third of the MHRB's funding for services comes from ODMH. With these funds, the Board has more resources to provide care for children, teens and adults with the most serious mental illnesses and addictions.

To learn more about ODMH, click here.

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA)

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) is the statewide organization that represents the interests of all of Ohio’s county Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Boards at the state level. The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County is an association member.

The organization works with a variety of governmental bodies including the Ohio General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Ohio Department of Mental Health, the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and other organizations and coalitions to seek support for initiatives that will help expand and enhance mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment and support services. Most importantly, however, OACBHA gives the Boards a forum to address statewide issues and provides Boards with the means to communicate their positions and concerns with a single voice.

The membership of the Association is made up of all 53 county behavioral health authorities in Ohio, including 47 Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Boards, 3 Community Mental Health (CMH) Board, and 3 Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services (ADAS) Boards. The boards are statutorily empowered to plan develop, fund, manage, and evaluate community-based mental health & substance abuse services. The federal, state, and local governments fund the Boards and in turn the Boards are responsible for ensuring the alcohol, drug addiction and/or mental health services are available to those who need them, regardless of their ability to pay.

To learn more about OACBHA and access its online resources, click here.

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