Ohio’s 2025 Mental Health And Addiction Conference To Focus Advancing Care In Communities

This vital two-day event is presented by the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) Foundation, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). Full details and registration will be available at oacbha.org.

This annual conference has become a cornerstone event in the state’s behavioral health landscape, offering a space for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders dedicated to improving mental health and addiction care.

Building Better Systems Through Community

According to the OACBHA Foundation, the 2025 conference theme—Advancing Care in Communities—emphasizes the importance of local, accessible solutions. From prevention to long-term recovery, the event aims to strengthen Ohio’s behavioral health system through education, partnerships, and grassroots engagement.

As the demand for effective mental health and addiction services continues to rise across the state, the conference will shine a spotlight on Ohio’s most pressing needs, most successful models, and most promising strategies for change.

Prioritizing Prevention, Recovery, and Family Support

Topics on this year’s agenda include mental health and addiction prevention, early intervention, treatment innovations, and long-term recovery pathways. Special attention will also be paid to family support systems, which are essential for sustaining recovery and resilience at the community level.

Workshops and keynotes will explore evidence-based practices and new approaches to care that are culturally responsive and trauma-informed, aligning with OhioMHAS’s broader goals as outlined in their Strategic Plan.

Who Will Benefit from Attending?

The 2025 Mental Health and Addiction Conference is tailored for a diverse audience, including:

• Behavioral health professionals and clinicians

• Peer support specialists and recovery coaches

• County board staff and public administrators

• Educators, healthcare providers, and social workers

• Law enforcement and first responders

• Community advocates and nonprofit leaders

Whether you work directly with clients or influence policy at a system level, this event offers tools, insights, and connections that can help advance your work.

Exploring Today’s Most Urgent Topics in Behavioral Health

This year’s sessions will reflect Ohio’s current behavioral health priorities, including:

• The intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system

• Expanding youth mental health services

• Responding to the opioid crisis and emerging substance use trends

• Integrating peer recovery supports into traditional treatment models

• Addressing workforce shortages in behavioral health

• Reducing stigma through education and storytelling

These topics mirror many of the areas outlined in the OhioMHAS Behavioral Health Workforce Report, which highlights urgent gaps in service availability and the need for innovative workforce strategies.

A Space For Learning, Connection, And Change

In addition to formal workshops, the conference will offer breakout sessions, panel discussions, and opportunities to connect with peers from across the state. For many attendees, the ability to engage with other professionals—whether sharing success stories or learning from lived experiences—has been one of the most valuable aspects of past conferences.

According to the OACBHA, previous conferences have attracted over 500 attendees each year, underscoring the growing momentum and collective will to improve behavioral health systems at every level.

Community-Driven Solutions Are Key

A central belief behind the conference is that communities—not institutions alone—are where change truly begins. By advancing localized care models and ensuring that services are responsive to community needs, Ohio can continue to lead in building a more equitable and effective behavioral health system.

This vision echoes the goals of OhioMHAS’s Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC), which promotes collaboration among healthcare providers, social services, housing organizations, and others to support whole-person recovery.

Registration Details and How to Get Involved

Those interested in attending Ohio’s 2025 Mental Health and Addiction Conference: Advancing Care in Communities can stay updated by visiting oacbha.org. Registration details, hotel accommodations, sponsorship opportunities, and the full conference schedule will be posted in the coming months.

Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited and demand continues to grow for high-quality professional development in behavioral health.

About the OACBHA Foundation

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities Foundation serves as a vital connector and advocate for Ohio’s 50 county behavioral health boards. The Foundation is dedicated to enhancing mental health and addiction services through education, system transformation, and leadership development.

Together with partners like OhioMHAS, the Foundation works to build a stronger, more accessible behavioral health system—one rooted in compassion, evidence, and community input.

Looking Ahead

In an era of growing complexity in public health, Ohio’s 2025 Mental Health and Addiction Conference provides a necessary space for reflection, education, and action. It’s not just a conference—it’s a launchpad for community change.

To learn more or sign up for updates, visit www.oacbha.org.