Malvern's Owen Ball Selected for Ohio Statewide Empower Youth Advisory Council
COLUMBUS (OH) – High school students across Ohio have been selected for the new Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) Youth Advisory Council.
Twenty students were selected from among 50 applicants who were required to be between the ages of 14 and 19 and enrolled in an Ohio high school, which includes homeschooling, GED programs, and private or charter schools. Members were selected from different grades and counties, representing a variety of interests and groups.
“We were amazed by the number of students who applied, as well as their enthusiasm for making a difference in their communities and beyond,” said OSPF Youth Program and Policy Manager Evi Roberts. “It’s a privilege to work with such talented young people, and we are excited to see how the OSPF Youth Advisory Council shapes suicide prevention efforts across Ohio.”
Youth-led suicide prevention interventions can effectively reduce self-harm and suicidal thoughts. One peer-led model, Source of Strength, has been shown in a new study to decrease suicide attempts among high school students by 29% when implemented to fidelity.
The Youth Advisory Council will meet in Columbus this spring to review applications for youth-led grants. Funding is available for up to 10 Ohio-based activities in middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, and/or communities. Proposals are being accepted through February 21, 2025, for evidence-based or evidence-informed suicide prevention activities. These may be linked to existing programs and campaigns supported by OSPF, such as Sources of Strength and Be Present Ohio, or they can be independent initiatives like SADD and original youth-led programs. More information about the grant can be found at https://bepresentohio.org/funding-opportunities.
Funding and support for the grants comes from OSPF and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
About OSPF:
The OSPF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicide across Ohio. OSPF works to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide, promote evidence-based prevention strategies, and raise awareness about suicide's connection to mental health, substance use disorders, and other contributing factors.