Rep. Jarrells awarded 2022 Legislative Champion Award by Mental Health America 

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) was awarded the 2022 Legislative Champion Award by Mental Health America (MHA), a non-profit organization that transforms how people think about mental health, make it easier to get help, and give people the support they need to get better and stay better. MHA was founded in 1909 and is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all people. The group strives to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness. MHA offers numerous mental health resources to the public such as counseling, family advocacy, maternal mental health, and support groups. Additionally, MHA also works with employers to help them provide adequate mental health training for their employees.

“I want to personally thank Mental Health America for recognizing me for their prestigious Legislative Champion award,” said Rep. Jarrells. “For so long, stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental health challenges has led to harm in our communities. As we build an Ohio and a nation we all deserve, we must create infrastructure where there is ‘no wrong-door’ — one that ensures all individuals and families get the care they need to thrive.”

Rep. Jarrells received this prestigious award, which is only given to a few legislators across the country, at Mental Health America’s Award Ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mental Health America of Ohio nominated him for his outstanding work as a co-chair for the Ohio Legislative Mental Health Caucus, sponsoring HB281, HCR15, and HB609 and cosponsoring the Ohio Fairness Act.