Ohio governor, MH leaders unveil new 988 license plate

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine earlier this week joined leaders from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) to unveil a new specialty license plate intended to increase awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the site PeakofOhio.com reported May 24. The easy‐to‐remember, three‐digit 988 Lifeline launched nationwide in July 2022 and provides free and confidential support 24/7 to Ohioans experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Ohio's 19 call centers have responded to nearly 538,000 contacts, including calls, texts and chats and are now averaging more than 19,500 contacts each month. Most of those calls are answered in‐state by fellow Ohioans, with only about 1% of calls rolling over to a national backup provider. The license plate featuring Ohio's 988 logo is available for purchase at deputy registrar locations and online at BMV.ohio.gov. OSPF will receive $25 from the sale of each plate to support suicide prevention initiatives in communities throughout Ohio. “The proceeds will go directly back into Ohio communities to provide training and resources to prevent suicide,” said OSPF Executive Director Tony Coder. “With this new license plate, we will continue to spread hope and healing across the state.”