Great Lakes Wire

CareSource announced a donation of $150,000 in grants to OhioGuidestone to support mental health services for first-time fathers and the LGBTQ+ community. OhioGuidestone, a nonprofit organization with a 160-year history, is recognized as Ohio’s leading provider of community-based behavioral health services.

While post-partum mental health issues in women are well-documented and supported, the mental health needs of new fathers often go unnoticed. OhioGuidestone's "Father’s Feelings" program addresses this gap by providing depression screenings for new fathers as part of its maternal and early childhood programming.

LGBTQ+ youth and adults also face unique mental health challenges. To address these, OhioGuidestone is implementing the AFFIRM program statewide. This evidence-based initiative uses identity affirmation and cognitive behavioral therapy to help LGBTQ+ individuals manage stress, enhance coping skills, and validate their strengths.

“Our partnership with CareSource is a game changer for our programs, especially those that reach groups of Ohioans whose needs are often overlooked,” said Brant Russell, President and CEO of OhioGuidestone. “We’re able to advance OhioGuidestone’s mission to expand access to whole person care and provide pathways to lasting well-being. This would not be possible without the funding and partnership of CareSource.”

“CareSource’s mission is to transform health care by increasing access to providers like OhioGuidestone who offer programs that are evidence-based and result in positive outcomes in the lives of those who use them,” said Stephanie Stitt, director of behavioral health provider relations and initiatives for CareSource Ohio.

CareSource is a nonprofit managed care organization with over 2 million members. It administers one of the largest Medicaid managed care plans in the U.S., offering various insurance products including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, and Medicare.

OhioGuidestone provides comprehensive prevention services along with mental health and substance use treatment across telehealth platforms and multiple locations statewide. The organization focuses on responsive person-centered care aimed at empowering individuals towards healthier futures.

For more information about CareSource or OhioGuidestone's services, visit their respective websites or follow them on social media platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.

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