Ohio National Guard Launches Mental Health Program

Columbus, Ohio (WCMH) — “Wherever you enter, you can find help.”

The Ohio National Guard launched a program this year to ensure that service members get the help they need, no matter who they turn to.

“It’s very stressful, as with services in general, and there are still a lot of stigma around mental health in particular. department,” said Nicole Gabriel, the Ohio National Guard’s Joint Primary Prevention Officer.

Breaking down barriers and opening doors to improve the overall health and well-being of our military personnel.

“They got a lot of attention early on when the war on terrorism began in 2001,” said Lieutenant Colonel Matt Molinsky of the Ohio National Guard.

Now, the Ohio National Guard is taking a proactive approach by introducing a “No Wrong Doors” policy to address the mental health of its members before an incident occurs.

“Nicole and her team are scanning the environment to see what might endanger military personnel,” Molinsky said.

“Through our spaces, we can ensure that people have access to the right resources at the right time and place,” says Gabriel.

These resources are Ohio Cares website.

“Ohio Cares is a central place for them to go and explore,” Gabriel said. “I would encourage people to go there in advance and explore and see what resources are available. Try to take precautions. may not need it right now, but at least so that when I need it, I can go check it out on the website and see what resources are available there.”

From finances to employment to better sleep to suicide prevention, it’s for active duty military, veterans and even loved ones who don’t know where to go.

“I have military personnel who interact with me, but they don’t seem to be answering questions correctly and don’t seem alarmed. Something is just wrong,” Molinsky said. . “So OhioCares is kind of where we try to push people so they can help direct them to resources that meet their specific needs for people they care about.”