Ohio Lawmakers Consider Joining Other States to Test Psychedelic-Assisted Treatments

In Ohio and several other states around the country, lawmakers are weighing the potential benefits of a little-known psychedelic drug called ibogaine.

Rep. Justin Pizzulli chairs the Ibogaine Treatment Study Committee and lobbied for its creation as part of last year’s budget.

Pizzulli represents Portsmouth which he described as “ground zero” for the opioid crisis in Ohio.

Supporters of ibogaine treatment insist their effort is limited to clinical therapies in a controlled setting rather than opening the door to recreational use. And they point to initial studies that show promising results for the treatment.

Right now, a handful of states are pooling funds and working together to develop a treatment that could pass muster with the FDA.

ASPIRES Webinar Series – Suicide and the Role of Lethal Means

The ASPIRES Center (https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/sites/aspires) in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is excited to announce an upcoming FREE webinar series.

Speaker: Paul Nestadt, MD
Title: Suicide and the Role of Lethal Means
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92498158226

This session is eligible for 1.0 Category 1 CME credit, 1.0 ANCC credit, 1.0 ASWB credit, 1.0 AAPA credit, 1.0 CMFT credit, and 1.0 APA credit upon completion of the CloudCME evaluation.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this webinar, learners should be able to:

• Review the epidemiology of firearm suicide
• Illustrate the importance of lethal means access in suicide risk
• Describe use of Extreme Risk Protection Orders

Upcoming Suicide Prevention Trainings for Clinical Staff

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is providing upcoming in-person professional development trainings with CEs provided. These trainings are provided free of training fees through SAMHSA Grant #SM086105. 

The Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS)

• CAMS is an evidenced-based treatment framework used to assess suicidality and specifically treat suicide risk. CAMS 3-part training provides mental health professionals (and other relevant professionals) with essential knowledge in using the CAMS framework to collaborate with patients in the treatment of their suicidal drivers.
• July 14, 2026 Registration (Cleveland): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988489855687?aff=oddtdtcreator 
• August 7, 2026 Registration (Dayton): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987334202096?aff=oddtdtcreator
• A CEU application is currently pending for up to 7.0 CEs for counselors, social workers, and psychologists. 
• Cost: Training cost is completely covered through grant funds. There will only be a $40 fee for administrative expenses, including but not limited to, food & beverage.

Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) training:

• Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR®) for Health and Behavioral Health Professionals Working in Outpatient Settings (AMSR-Outpatient) formulation model and helps clinicians feel confident navigating challenging conversations about suicide. AMSR offers key strategies for providing compassionate care to people at risk for suicide.
• June 26, 2026 Registration (Columbus): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986665009523?aff=oddtdtcreator
• July 30, 2026 Registration (Toledo): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986664621362?aff=oddtdtcreator
• August 28, 2026 Registration (Portsmouth): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986664818953?aff=oddtdtcreator
• Participants who fully complete this training will also be eligible for 6.5 hours of continuing education credits from APA and NASW. As these are National-level CEs, you will need to check with your respective Ohio licensing board to see if they will accept your CEU certificate awarded after the training.
• Cost: Training cost is completely covered through grant funds. There will only be a $40 fee for administrative expenses, including but not limited to, food & beverage.

Zero Suicide Institute’s Safety Planning Training: 

• OSPF invites you to attend a 4-hour in-person Safety Planning Training for clinical providers. Learn who, what, where, when and how to create a safety plan to support a person at risk of suicide. Build confidence in counseling on access to lethal means and practice your skills in a supportive learning environment. 
• August 14, 2026 Registration (Columbus):https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985056151385?aff=oddtdtcreator
• 3.5 CEs will be provided to Ohio social workers and counselors 
• Cost: Training cost is completely covered through grant funds. There will only be a $15 fee for administrative expenses, including but not limited to, food & beverage.

If you have any questions, please contact Austin Lucas at [email protected].

Election 2026: Ohio Primaries Set Stage for Statewide Contests

Ohio voters in Tuesday, May 5 made important calls for Democratic and Republican party nominations for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and the Ohio Supreme Court.

While Vivek Ramaswamy easily won his primary against Casey Putsch — setting the Republican up for a primary against Democrat Amy Acton — there are also several down-ticket statewide races that were solidified Tuesday.