- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget proposal prioritizes expanding mental health services across the state.
- DeWine’s plan aims to address the lack of available beds in state psychiatric hospitals.
- The proposal includes increased funding for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and expansion of mobile crisis services.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine noted mental health services are a priority in his proposed state budget plan.
DeWine’s budget plan mentions the need to open more state psychiatric hospitals, expand mobile crisis services and continue funding of Ohio’s 988 crisis and suicide hotline which DeWine said receives about 18,000 calls, texts and chats each month.
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“This budget continues to expand our commitment to increase access to mental health services directly in our communities, building the system of care that was promised beginning in the 1960s,” DeWine said.
Nine out of 10 beds in state psychiatric hospitals are used by people sent there on court orders, which means less space for others experiencing a mental health crisis.
The budget plan allocates more than $31 million for 2026 and $41 million for 2027 for the 988 lifeline and calls for increased awareness of the lifeline.
DeWine’s budget plan also proposes increasing mobile response services from 47 counties to statewide and allocates $39 million for crisis services and stabilization in the nest two years.
DeWine said that Ohio’s overdose and suicide deaths are declining but the state has more work to do and will need more investment in the services that meet Ohioans where they are when they are in crisis.
Laura Bischoff contributed reporting.
Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.