Q3 2025 Convening - Supporting Mental Health, Recovery and Wellbeing in our Community
Supporting Mental Health, Recovery and Wellbeing in our Community
The Talent Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati brought together regional partners to discuss mental health awareness, recovery services, and workforce development efforts, showcasing community resources, innovative career pathways, and the organization's anticipated growth under new Director, Monika Royal-Fischer.
Mental Health and Addiction Services from Hamilton County Mental Health and Services Recovery Board - Linda Gallagher, presented on the plan to fund and oversee an inclusive system of care for residents experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. The need for these services continues to grow. One in five adults experiences a mental illness each year, while communities are seeing rising rates of anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and suicide.
Knowing addiction and mental health affects families, schools, and communities; early intervention saves lives. HCMHSRB's top priorities include strengthening crisis response, youth services, housing support, substance use disorder treatment, and the behavioral health workforce to better meet the community's growing needs.
Talbert House - Nichol Boberg, presented behavioral health and recovery services across Southwest Ohio. The organization provides prevention, treatment, and recovery support services in five primary counties and 12 additional counties throughout the region.
A key component of its crisis response system is the 24/7 crisis hotline (513-281-CARE), which serves as Ohio's backup for 988 and handles about 75,000 calls annually. Hamilton County was the first county in Ohio to implement two-way transfers between 988 and 911, improving emergency response coordination. With an average of 2 transfers daily with a 100% crisis intervention success rate.
Talbert House partners with Central Clinic and 1N5 to offer school and community crisis response services following traumatic events. Core services include case management, outpatient treatment, psychiatric care, school-based behavioral health services, youth and family peer support, OhioRISE care coordination, and early childhood mental health support.
The Hamilton County Crisis Center provides crisis stabilization for mental health and addiction concerns while also offering primary healthcare services. Specialized programs include the Engagement Center, Crisis Stabilization Unit, ADAPT Residential Program, Crisis Receiving Center, and Tribbe Center.
To support workforce development, Talbert House offers programs such as Insight School to Work, the Greater Cincinnati Youth Mental Health Corps, and paid student internships. Services are accessible through walk-in assessments, telehealth, and community-based referral pathways.
Talent Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati Updates
The Talent Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati (TCGC) continues to strengthen regional workforce development efforts through strategic partnerships and innovative career pathway programs. Upcoming initiatives include the Workforce Summit on October 15, 2025, which will bring together employers, educators, and community partners to address workforce needs and expand talent pipelines.
One notable success is the IBEW Electrical Apprenticeship Program, which included 54 seniors from nine high schools. The previous cohort saw 22 students accepted into apprenticeships, with all job-seeking participants securing employment within months at approximately $26 per hour plus benefits. Overall, 125 new apprentices generated an estimated $6 million in first-year wages and benefits.
Additional workforce initiatives are supported through the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, focusing on career exploration, employee career conversations, and pathway awareness. The Collaborative also received $450,000 in United Way capacity-building funding over three years, supporting organizational growth and leadership under TCGC's first Director, Monika Royal-Fischer.
From crisis intervention and recovery support to apprenticeship programs and career pathways, these organizations are working together to build a healthier, more resilient, and workforce-ready Greater Cincinnati.
