Ohio is facing a behavioral health workforce crisis—and HB 718 credential just might be the solution we’ve been waiting for. Sponsored by Representative Karen Brownlee and Senator Terry Johnson, this bipartisan bill aims to create a qualified mental health credential that could dramatically expand the addiction treatment workforce across the state. Here’s the thing: wait times for care in Ohio have stretched to weeks, sometimes months. In our experience at Recovery Institute of Ohio, we see the consequences every day. People who are ready for help often can’t get it fast enough. That’s where HB 718 comes in.

What HB 718 Actually Does

So what does this bill do, exactly? In plain terms, HB 718 establishes a new credential—a “qualified mental health professional” designation—that allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree and supervised experience to provide certain mental health and addiction services. Right now, many roles require a master’s degree, which creates a bottleneck. We just don’t have enough advanced-degree clinicians to meet demand. Representative Brownlee called the bill “a common-sense step” that has been “praised for its potential to address behavioral health care shortages” in Ohio.

But let’s be clear: this isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about creating an on-ramp. Under the bill, these professionals would work under supervision while gaining the hours needed for full licensure. Think of it as a fellowship model, already proven in medicine and nursing. It lets people start contributing sooner, while still climbing the career ladder.

Why This Matters for Ohio’s Addiction Crisis

Ohio has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic—and now fentanyl is driving an even deadlier wave. As we discussed in our article on The Rise of Fentanyl in Ohio: What Families Should Know, overdose deaths remain stubbornly high. Treatment centers need staff. Not just any staff—skilled, compassionate people who understand addiction and recovery. The HB 718 credential could help fill those gaps.

Senator Johnson, who chairs the Senate’s Addiction and Community Revitalization Committee, has been a vocal advocate. In his view, this bill “gives Ohio a powerful new tool.” It’s not just more bodies—it’s more trained bodies. The credential would ensure that workers meet state standards, including coursework in addiction studies, mental health assessment, and crisis intervention. That’s a game-changer for rural counties like Scioto or Noble, where recruiting a master’s-level clinician is nearly impossible.

How We Got Here: The Workforce Shortage in Numbers

The numbers are stark. According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), the state has seen a 15% decline in the behavioral health workforce since 2020. Meanwhile, demand for services is up—way up. In 2023, nearly 1 in 5 Ohio adults reported needing mental health or substance use treatment, but many didn’t receive it. The primary barrier? Not enough providers.

This isn’t just an Ohio problem—it’s national. But Ohio is acting. The May 8, 2026 Behavioral Health Bulletin from OhioMHAS highlighted HB 718 as a key initiative. “We’re committed to innovative solutions,” the bulletin stated. And the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County has also voiced support, noting that the credential could especially help urban areas like Cleveland, where safety-net clinics are overwhelmed.

What Providers and Policymakers Are Saying

We’ve talked to dozens of treatment providers across Ohio. At a recent convening in Columbus, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. “It’s about time,” one clinical director told us. “We have talented bachelor’s-level staff doing great work, but we can’t bill for their services. This credential would change that.”

Representative Brownlee echoed that sentiment. In her press release, she said the bill “expands the pipeline” and “makes fiscal sense.” It’s not just a workforce bill—it’s a recovery bill. Let’s be real: every day a person waits for treatment is a day they’re at risk. And with the opioid crisis still claiming lives, we don’t have time to waste. Senator Johnson added, “This isn’t a silver bullet, but it’s a critical piece of the puzzle.”

What This Means for Ohio Families

For a family in Dayton or Akron struggling to find a counselor for a loved one, HB 718 could mean the difference between getting help this month—or next year. Shorter wait times. More options. And a pathway for local residents to enter the behavioral health field. Think about it: a recent college graduate from Youngstown could get trained, start working in their community, and eventually become a fully licensed professional. That’s how you rebuild the workforce from the ground up.

But it’s not just about numbers. It’s about quality of care. When professionals reflect the communities they serve, outcomes improve. And for individuals in recovery, seeing someone who “gets it” can be transformative. We see this firsthand in our treatment programs at Recovery Institute of Ohio.

What’s Next and How You Can Help

HB 718 is still working its way through the legislature. It passed the House with strong bipartisan support and now awaits action in the Senate. You can track its progress at the Ohio Legislature website. If you’re a provider, educator, or someone with lived experience—your voice matters. Contact your state senator. Tell them this bill matters.

In the meantime, if you or someone you love needs help now, don’t wait. Recovery is possible, and it starts with reaching out. At Recovery Institute of Ohio, we offer evidence-based treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in a compassionate, supportive environment. Our team is here 24/7 to take your call. Let’s start the conversation today.

Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) in Ohio has recently received national recognition for its innovative and community-based approach to addressing addiction within families. Highlighted by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, this achievement not only showcases the county’s dedication to combating addiction but also underlines the importance of coordinated care across child welfare, treatment providers, and local community resources.

At the core of Lucas County’s success is a multi-agency collaboration that addresses substance use disorders in the context of family preservation. Rather than separating families at the first sign of addiction, LCCS works with treatment providers, social workers, and the courts to find solutions that prioritize both recovery and family unity. This model allows parents to seek help without fear of automatically losing custody of their children.

Breaking the Cycle and Community-Based Treatment

Many families affected by addiction in Lucas County are struggling with generational substance abuse. By implementing trauma-informed care and early intervention programs, LCCS aims to disrupt this cycle. Parents entering the system are paired with peer mentors who have completed recovery themselves, offering hope and practical guidance during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

A key element of the LCCS approach is integrating community-based addiction treatment into child welfare planning. According to mha.ohio.gov, the initiative focuses on timely access to treatment, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), counseling, and wraparound services. These services are often delivered within the community to reduce stigma and increase accessibility.

Proven Outcomes and National Recognition

Since implementing these changes, Lucas County has seen measurable improvements. Reports from mha.ohio.gov show a decrease in child removals due to parental addiction and an increase in family reunifications. These outcomes support the idea that keeping families together, when safe and supported, leads to better long-term recovery and child well-being.

National child welfare and addiction recovery agencies have taken note of Lucas County’s success. The program has been featured in webinars, policy roundtables, and case studies focused on replicating effective practices in other regions. This recognition is not only a testament to local leadership but also a validation of Ohio’s commitment to forward-thinking addiction solutions.

The Power of Peer Support and Inclusive Services

One of the most lauded aspects of the program is its use of peer recovery supporters—individuals who have firsthand experience with addiction and recovery. These supporters are trained and certified to work with families involved with LCCS, offering a unique bridge between professional services and community trust. As mha.ohio.gov notes, this method improves engagement and reduces relapse rates.

Lucas County’s addiction recovery framework also pays close attention to issues of racial equity and cultural competence. By ensuring that services are accessible to all community members, regardless of background, the program aims to close the gap in outcomes for historically underserved populations. This focus has been a significant factor in earning national recognition.

Prevention and Training as Key Strategies

Another innovative aspect of the LCCS program is its emphasis on early childhood intervention. By working with pregnant individuals and new parents struggling with substance use, LCCS helps reduce the number of newborns entering the foster system. According to mha.ohio.gov, this strategy supports healthier births and reduces neonatal abstinence syndrome cases.

Staff at Lucas County Children Services receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care, addiction science, and cultural humility. This ensures that frontline workers are equipped to handle complex family dynamics with compassion and skill, leading to more positive outcomes across the board.

Community Partnerships and Public Education

The agency’s success is also rooted in its close partnership with local treatment providers. These organizations offer not only detox and therapy services but also parenting classes, housing assistance, and employment support. This comprehensive approach addresses the underlying issues that often accompany addiction, such as poverty and trauma.

Public education campaigns have been instrumental in shifting community perceptions of addiction. By humanizing the experiences of families dealing with substance use, LCCS has fostered greater empathy and reduced the stigma that often prevents individuals from seeking help. mha.ohio.gov credits this shift in public attitude as a vital component of the program’s sustainability.

Systemic Change and Future Potential

Since adopting its revised approach, Lucas County has improved child safety metrics, reduced placement disruptions, and increased rates of successful case closures. These outcomes are aligned with the federal child welfare goals outlined by the Administration for Children and Families, further cementing the program’s credibility and effectiveness.

Lucas County’s program is now being studied as a potential model for replication across Ohio. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is examining which elements can be adopted in other counties with high rates of addiction-related child welfare cases. The hope is that Lucas County’s approach can inform state-level policy and funding decisions.

A Beacon of Hope and a National Model

Ultimately, the recognition of Lucas County Children Services serves as a beacon of hope for families battling addiction. It demonstrates that recovery and family preservation are not mutually exclusive—and that with the right support systems in place, parents can heal while maintaining meaningful relationships with their children.

As more communities across the U.S. grapple with the effects of the opioid crisis and other substance use challenges, the model championed by Lucas County offers a proven path forward. With continued support from state agencies like mha.ohio.gov and community stakeholders, this holistic, compassionate approach to addiction treatment may well become the national standard.

Mental health has been a buzzword in recent years, and for good reason. With continued research, the scientific community is constantly learning how mental health has a significant impact on nearly every area of our life: from physical health to relationships, to how individuals interact within the community.

Oftentimes, mental health issues are buried deep beneath damaging coping mechanisms. A prime example of mental health disguised as “negative behavior” is addiction and substance abuse. At Drug Rehab Ohio, we make it a priority to treat the whole individual. This means we uncover the core cause behaviors in order to understand what is at the root of the addiction. It is only then can we provide adequate professional support that allows the individual to not only overcome addiction but to provide positive coping strategies for the associated mental illness. The combination of treatment for both addiction and mental concerns is known as Dual Diagnosis treatment.

At times, it can be challenging to determine if what you or a loved one are experiencing is simply a rough patch or a sign that professional help is needed. Read on to discover if it is time to make the first step in healing with professional mental health treatment in Ohio.

Sign 1: Your Mental Health Problems Interfere with your Physical Health

It is no secret that struggling with mental health issues can take its toll on your body. Side effects of severe depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD often go hand in hand with the side effects of addiction.

Physical side effects of co-occurring disorders may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Paranoia/anxious movement
• The abrupt change in moods
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting

If you are regularly experiencing any of the above-listed symptoms, your mental health could be greatly impacting your physical health and it is time to seek help.

Sign 2: Your Coping Mechanism Interferes with your Relationships

Dual Diagnosis is incredibly common in the addiction world because misuse of drugs and alcohol can serve as a seemingly effective solution for combatting the symptoms of mental illness. However, most come to realize that this method of coping not only impacts their own lives but has a negative impact on the lives of those around them.

If you notice the following challenges in your relationships as a result of your mental illness or how you cope with the symptoms, it is time to seek help from a mental health professional.

Effects of substance and abuse and mental illness on relationships:

• Unable to maintain healthy relationships
• Distancing oneself from friends and colleagues
• Seeking out new experiences or friends who prioritize substance use
• Lying or hiding details of your life to friends and family
• Loved ones have expressed concern about your substance use or mental health

It is a natural defense mechanism to distance healthy relationships from your mental health issues or associated coping mechanisms. However, it is often these relationships that encourage individuals to seek help. If you notice strain in your relationships due to your struggles with mental health, it is time to get help from a professional.

Sign 3: Your Mental Health Conditions Interfere with your Community

At Drug Rehab Ohio, we believe that the community is an integral part of the journey to recovery. It inspires individuals to believe in something bigger than themselves, promotes responsibility, and provides a resource for individuals that encourages overall wellness and self-betterment.

However, those who struggle with mental health problems or addiction habitually remove themselves from their network during the time when community support is needed the most.

Signs of community withdrawal as a result of mental health struggles include:

• The inability to maintain meaningful employment
• Loss of interest in participating in a broader network (volunteer activities, social events, etc.)
• Refusal to participate in activities the individual previously enjoyed

Getting Professional Mental Health Services

Many individuals experience negative physical symptoms, relationship tension, and withdrawal from the community as a result of their mental struggles, and Dual Diagnosis programs provide a way to address these aspects in a professional setting.

Dual Diagnosis treatment includes:

• Guidance from addiction support groups and a supportive community
• Access to medical assistance, addiction specialists, psychiatric specialists, and substance abuse counselors
• Creation of a daily routine with a priority on mental and physical health and recovery
• Formation of new relationships that help support your addiction recovery
• Elimination of negative relationships from your life that may tempt your addiction and hurt your chances of recovery
• Support in a healthy environment away from distractions with daily substance abuse treatment to build consistency

If you or a loved one is considering whether or not it is time to seek professional help for their addiction associated with mental illness, Drug Rehab Ohio is here to guide and support you on this journey. You are not alone and our Dual Diagnosis program can help you navigate mental illness and develop positive coping mechanisms for a lifetime of sobriety.

At Recovery Institute of Ohio, we believe mental health facilities in Columbus, Ohio, should be accessible and available for everyone. That’s why we have prioritized mental health and continue to establish the link between mental health providers and addiction treatment in the Columbus, Ohio, area. 

If you are struggling with substance abuse due to mental health challenges, we encourage you to learn more about our dual diagnosis program. Dual diagnosis is a common occurrence where mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders occur simultaneously. Often, those who struggle with anxiety or depression will rely on substances to cope with the unpleasant side effects they are experiencing due to mental illness. Our trained mental health professionals are here to assist you in navigating your mental health while prioritizing a life of recovery and sobriety.

When Should You Go to a Mental Health Facility in Columbus, Ohio?

There are points in every individual’s life that they will struggle with mental health, whether that be anxiety, depression, or another form of mental illness. However, when your mental health struggles span a significant period of time and cause strain in your day-to-day activities, then it is time to seek help. Substance abuse is a common side effect of adverse mental health, and understanding this correlation can help prepare you for sustainable recovery, even when your time in treatment has concluded.

Depression, insomnia, loss of appetite, severe mood swings in conjunction with substance use are all signs that it is time to reach out to a mental health facility in Columbus, Ohio. While these symptoms may present as physical ailments, they are often underlying effects of mental struggles. They can be addressed with therapy and other mental health services from our professional counselors.

Is Substance Abuse Tied to Mental Health Disorders?

Studies suggest that 25% of those struggling with mental health also struggle with a substance abuse disorder. Those battling mental health while navigating drug or alcohol abuse fall under the category of dual diagnosis.  Dual diagnosis allows individuals to be treated not only for their addiction but also for their mental illness.

At the Recovery Institute of Ohio, we specialize in treating substance abuse at the root of the issue. When we consider mental health in addiction treatment, we can provide patients with tools to successfully navigate triggers and stressful situations when treatment is complete. When mental health is addressed, sustainable recovery becomes much more likely.

What Services Do Mental Health Facilities in Columbus, Ohio Provide?

At Drug Rehab Ohio, we offer various inpatient and outpatient treatments that prioritize mental health and work in conjunction with substance abuse recovery. Similar to most substance abuse treatment centers, the severity of your addiction and your mental health status will help determine what dual diagnosis program is right for you. Several of these programs include Residential Treatment, Partial hospitalization (PHP), Intensive outpatient (IOP), and Standard outpatient (OP).

All of these programs at our mental health facility in Columbus, Ohio, will help prioritize your wellness by addressing mental illness, engaging in behavioral therapy treatments, and providing mindfulness exercises that support your journey to positive mental health. Treatments for mental health disorders within our dual diagnosis programs include:

•  Art and music therapy, 
• Individual, group, and family therapy, 
• Anger management and domestic violence support groups
• Job preparedness courses
• Life skills development
• Psychiatric assessments
• And so much more.

Prioritizing Mental Wellness

At Drug Rehab Ohio, we prioritize a recovery that long outlasts treatment, which is successful when mental health challenges arise. Our goal is to provide the tools and skills that can help each individual navigate stressors without resorting to substances as a coping mechanism. That’s why our mental health facilities in Columbus, Ohio, are a vital part of addiction treatment.

Whether you are aware of the interaction between your mental health and substance abuse or are curious to explore how the two may be linked, our mental health facilities in Columbus, Ohio, are here for you. Reach out today to inquire about our dual diagnosis program or learn more about how mental health treatment can help you prepare for a lifetime of sobriety. Sustainable healing and positive coping mechanisms are available, and recovery is possible.

We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.