Evi Roberts - Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation & the Sources of Strength Program

the Guest(s): Evi Roberts serves as the Youth Program and Policy Manager at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). Evi plays a crucial role in supporting youth suicide prevention initiatives across Ohio, including the widely recognized program, Sources of Strength, and Be Present Ohio the Online Experience. With a background in mental health advocacy and policy coordination, Evi's work involves coordinating trainings, managing grants, and providing technical assistance to various schools and communities throughout Ohio. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "School Wellness," host Amanda Hampton reconnects with Evi Roberts from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation to discuss exciting updates in youth suicide prevention programs in Ohio. Evi, a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, offers insights into the evolving Sources of Strength program, emphasizing the impact it's having across elementary, middle, and high school levels in Ohio. Throughout the conversation, the focus remains on the necessity of empowering youth through evidence-based practices and community engagement to foster resilience and reduce suicide risks. The episode delves into the impressive expansion of Sources of Strength programs, highlighting significant growth in student reach across Ohio. With Evi Roberts sharing statistics and personal success stories from schools, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how these programs are creating supportive environments for youth. Moreover, the conversation navigates through innovative approaches like the Youth Advisory Council, showcasing the active role that young individuals can play in transforming their communities through meaningful engagement and advocacy. This episode provides valuable insights into the proactive steps being taken within Ohio to address mental health and wellness among students. Key Takeaways: Sources of Strength has expanded significantly in Ohio, reaching approximately 186,000+ students and continuing to grow across elementary, middle, and high schools. The program is recognized for its holistic approach to improving mental wellness, fostering protective factors like family support, mentorship, and physical health. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is actively working with youth, providing mechanisms for them to become agents of change within their communities. Innovative efforts such as the Youth Advisory Council are enabling young people to obtain hands-on experience in mental health advocacy and program development. Continuous support and collaboration from various stakeholders, including the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (now called Ohio Department of Behavioral Health), are pivotal in ensuring the sustainability and success of these programs. Notable Quotes: "Sources of Strength is for all people... and has impacts on universal populations." - Evi Roberts "It's Sources (of Strength). They like to refer to the program as a radically upstream prevention program." - Evi Roberts "Seeing these communities come together to be able to bounce back after a tragedy is such a humbling experience." - Evi Roberts "The importance of this kind of work... is all vital because, when we invite young people and our schools to be a part of this work, it saves lives." - Evi Roberts Resources: Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Be Present Ohio Nationwide Children's Hospital OhioSBCOE.org For more webinars, trainings, and conferences from OSPF, visit their events page. Listeners are encouraged to delve into the full episode to uncover the in-depth discussions shared by Amanda Hampton and Evi Roberts, and to anticipate more insightful content on the dynamics of school-based mental health initiatives in upcoming episodes. Stay tuned for further illuminating discussions dedicated to wellness and prevention efforts in schools.