A new era of hope: The Buckeye Ranch expands youth mental health services

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A new era of hope: The Buckeye Ranch expands youth mental health services

Over the past decade, rates of persistent sadness, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors among young people have increased by nearly 40%, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System.

For teens who need higher acuity care in Ohio, one organization is leading the way for children's mental health care in our community.

The Buckeye Ranch, a leading provider in behavioral and mental health services for children and families across Ohio, has opened the state's first and only Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) for teens: the Hope Treatment Center.

The center will provide key mental health support via specially trained staff that will support local access to short-term, intensive residential treatment support after hospital discharge, offering increased family engagement to promote healing and stability for youth.

"More than five years ago, we recognized a critical gap in care for youth experiencing mental health crises," said Vickie Thompson-Sandy, President and CEO of The Buckeye Ranch. "Too many children were being sent out of state for treatment, separated from their families and communities during their most vulnerable moments. The Hope Treatment Center changes that. It ensures children can receive the care that they need here in Ohio, close to home, surrounded by the support and treatment that they need on their path toward lasting healing."

The 57,000-square-foot facility will provide specialized, around-the-clock psychiatric care for up to 48 youth from across Ohio. Developed in close partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital, the Hope Treatment Center reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to mental health treatment and providing care that supports children and families every step of the way. With this expansion, The Buckeye Ranch will now have the capacity to serve nearly 100 youth at its Residential Treatment Servicescampus in Grove City.

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"Hope grows when communities come together," said Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO and Nationwide Foundation Chairman. "This partnership between The Buckeye Ranch and Nationwide Children's Hospital is proof of what is possible when we unite around a common purpose to give every child the chance to heal, to thrive, and to dream again."

Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation have been longtime community partners of The Buckeye Ranch, providing support and resources to advance its mission of restoring hope and healing for children and families. The Nationwide Foundation contributed $2.5 million to the New Hope Treatment Center project.

Earlier this year, the Nationwide Foundation also contributed $1 million towards the Franklin County Crisis Care Center, a first of its kind in behavioral health to provide 24/7 support for adults experiencing mental health or addiction-related crises. Developed in collaboration with the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) and Recovery Innovations, the center aims to provide both immediate and long-term care for the community in a single, centralized location.

Together, these efforts reflect a growing commitment to comprehensive mental health care in Ohio - one that The Buckeye Ranch continues to advance. Serving thousands of youth across the state every day, The Buckeye Ranch ensures children receive services designed to help them succeed within their families, schools and communities. To learn more about its mission, visit www.BuckeyeRanch.org.