Mental Health America of Licking County

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Mental Health America of Licking County Our mission: To empower our community through education, prevention and advocacy, fostering a culture of mental wellness.

Our vision: To thrive in a world free from mental health stigma.

10/14/2026

๐Ÿ’™ October is National Bullying Prevention Month ๐Ÿ’™

At Mental Health America of Licking County, we recognize that while October brings awareness to bullying prevention, this is an issue we must address 365 days a year, in every space and every community.

Bullying prevention doesn't stop at the school doors. It starts in our classrooms, continues in our homes, shows up on our sports teams, and impacts our workplaces and communities. Bullying doesn't have an age limit, and neither should our commitment to preventing it.

We often associate bullying with children, but the reality is that it can follow people into adulthood, showing up in workplaces, relationships, and social settings. No matter someone's age, the impact can be deeply felt.

Why does bullying prevention matter so much for mental health? ๐Ÿ’š

Bullying is more than hurtful words or unkind behavior. It can leave lasting emotional wounds. Being repeatedly targeted, excluded, intimidated, or humiliated can contribute to: ๐Ÿง  Increased anxiety and depression ๐Ÿ’” Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness ๐Ÿ˜” Loneliness, isolation, and difficulty trusting others ๐Ÿ’ญ Increased stress and emotional distress ๐Ÿซ‚ A decreased sense of safety, belonging, and connection

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are. When people experience ongoing bullying, it can affect how they see themselves, how they connect with others, and whether they feel comfortable reaching out for help.

As a community, we all have a role to play. We can speak up when we witness bullying, teach empathy and kindness, create safe spaces for honest conversations, support those who are being targeted, and hold ourselves accountable for how we treat others.

Small actions can make a meaningful difference. A kind word, an invitation to join in, checking on someone who seems isolated, or refusing to participate in hurtful behavior can remind someone that they are not alone.

Let's move beyond awareness and commit to actionโ€”not just in October, but every single day. Together, we can build a community where kindness is the expectation, inclusion is the priority, and mental health matters at every age.

๐Ÿ’™ Bullying prevention is mental health prevention. Let's continue to stand together and make a difference.

10/14/2026

988 is more than a number. Itโ€™s a lifeline that connects people to support when they need it most.

The vast majority of contacts to 988 can be resolved through conversation, helping people navigate a mental health or emotional crisis without requiring emergency intervention.

By connecting people with trained crisis counselors, 988 offers an accessible, cost-effective way to get support when it matters most.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

10/14/2026

โ€ผ๏ธDonโ€™t miss our next Community Partners Council monthly forum, โ€œWhat is the Community Health Improvement Plan?โ€ Weโ€™ll discuss how health professionals in Licking County are utilizing CHIP to improve health outcomes of county residents.โ 
โ 
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธCheck out our brilliant panel of local experts: โ 
Adam Masters - Licking County Health Department โ 
Ashley Washburn - Family Health Services of East Central Ohio, Inc.
Kay Spergel - Mental Health and Recovery for Licking and Knox Countiesโ 
โ 
โฐ๏ธWhen: Wednesday, October 14th | 10:00 am โ€“ 12:00 pm
๐Ÿ“Where: LCAP โ€“ 1058 East Main. St., Newark, OH 43055 โ 
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธRegistration is free and includes brunch! RSVP by completing the event registration at https://www.unitedwaylc.org/events/

10/13/2026

One call to 211 can connect you to more than you expect.

Most people know 211 for help with food and utility bills. But Ohio 211 navigators can also connect families to local resources for parenting support, health care, employment, transportation, legal help, and much more. One number. Dozens of doors.

Call 211 or 888-644-6211 to see what is available near you.

10/11/2026

How can trauma shape the way young people think, feel, communicate, behave and respond to the world around them? Whether you work directly with young people or support those who do, this session offers practical knowledge and tools to help you respond to trauma with greater understanding, confidence and compassion. Join us on October 22: https://projectharmony.com/training/calendar/7375845-330166/

๐Ÿ’š Today is World Mental Health Day 2026!๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿง Today, we recognize something that affects every one of us: our mental health....
10/10/2026

๐Ÿ’š Today is World Mental Health Day 2026!๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿง 

Today, we recognize something that affects every one of us: our mental health.

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, break down stigma, encourage open conversations, and remind people that mental health deserves the same attention, care, and compassion as physical health.

๐Ÿ’š Why does this day matter?

Because too many people struggle in silence.
Because asking for help should never be a sign of weakness.
Because mental health challenges do not discriminate.
Because prevention, early intervention, education, and access to support can make a life-changing difference.

And because sometimes, the person who seems to have it all together is the one who needs someone to check in the most.

At Mental Health America of Licking County, we believe mental health support starts long before someone reaches a crisis. It starts in our schools, in our homes, in our workplaces, in our communities, and in the everyday moments when we choose to listen, support, and show up for one another.

Today, we encourage you to:
๐Ÿ’š Check in on someone you care about.
๐Ÿ’š Make time for your own mental well-being.
๐Ÿ’š Give yourself permission to set boundaries and say no.
๐Ÿ’š Listen without judgment when someone opens up.
๐Ÿ’š Help break the stigma by talking openly about mental health.
๐Ÿ’š Remember that reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

You never know what someone else is carrying. A little compassion, a genuine conversation, or simply reminding someone that they are not alone can mean more than you realize.

Mental health matters today, tomorrow, and every day. We cannot limit these conversations to one day on the calendar. We must continue showing up, building connections, promoting prevention, and making sure people know that help and hope are possible.

Let's keep reaching one person at a time. Because every person matters. Every conversation matters. And every step toward better mental health matters. ๐Ÿ’š

10/09/2026

๐Ÿ’™ YES Club is making a difference, one young person at a time! ๐Ÿ’™

We want to take a moment to give a BIG shout-out to our Mental Health America of Licking County YES Club team: Haley, Liz, Tellie, Connor, Tanner, and Lori!๐ŸŽ‰

Thank you for the time, energy, creativity, and heart you put into making sure the youth who attend YES Club have a great experience. From planning meaningful learning opportunities and connecting youth with people and places throughout our community to providing dinner, creating memories, and so much more, you are making a difference in the lives of the young people you serve every single day.

YES Club is more than an afterschool and summer program. It is a safe place where youth can build relationships, learn new things, explore their interests, and feel supported. The work you do helps nurture their physical health, mental health, and social-emotional well-being. And that matters!

We know that having natural supports, especially a trusted adult who shows up, listens, encourages, and cares, is one of the key protective factors that helps young people navigate challenges and build a foundation for future success. Success looks different for every young person, and having someone in their corner can make all the difference.

Haley, Liz, Tellie, Connor, Tanner, and Lori โ€” you are ROCKSTARS!

โญ Thank you for showing up for our youth, creating opportunities, and helping make YES Club a place where young people know they belong.

It takes a village, and we are grateful to have you as part of ours! ๐Ÿ’™

Address

65 Messimer Drive
Newark, OH
43055

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