Throughout June, Community Health Alliance proudly participated in three Pride celebrations across southwest Ohio, connecting with hundreds of community members through our 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline program while supporting events that celebrate diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Pride events provide more than an opportunity to celebrate—they create meaningful spaces where people can access resources, build connections, and learn about services that could make a difference in their lives. For our 988 team, they also offer an opportunity to reach individuals who may not know that free, confidential mental health and crisis support is available whenever it’s needed.

Middletown Pride

Our Pride outreach began at Middletown Pride on June 12, where team members Mya Nguyen, Megan Stagge, Helena Hitch, Gillian Murray, and Sierrah Miller spent the day meeting attendees, answering questions, and sharing information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The impact of those conversations was clear. Throughout the event, the team interacted with 136 individuals—and 76 of them had never heard of 988 before.

That statistic reinforces why community outreach remains so important. Since launching in July 2022, 988 has provided an easy-to-remember number for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, emotional distress, or concern for a loved one. Yet many people are still learning about the resource for the first time. Every conversation helps raise awareness and lets someone know that support is only a call or text away.

Dayton Pride

Later in the month, Mya Nguyen, Megan Stagge, and Ethan Taylor represented Community Health Alliance at the Dayton Pride Celebration, hosted by the Greater Dayton LGBT Center.

This year’s event held special significance as the Center celebrated its 50th anniversary of serving and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community throughout the Miami Valley. Community members gathered to celebrate progress, reflect on the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and continue building a more inclusive future.

Our 988 team was honored to be part of the celebration, sharing resources and connecting with attendees about the support available through the Lifeline.

Hamilton Pride Festival

Community Health Alliance also participated in the Hamilton Pride Festival, where Alainnah Scott, Sarah Totten, Shane Joseph, Kelsey Wilzbach, Ethan Taylor, and Ella Maher represented the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Hamilton Pride celebrates diversity, fellowship, and inclusion while creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals, families, friends, and allies to come together in a welcoming environment. Throughout the event, our team spoke with attendees about mental health, crisis resources, and the importance of knowing where to turn when help is needed.

Why These Events Matter

Mental health affects every community, and access to support begins with awareness.

By participating in Pride events throughout the region, Community Health Alliance is able to meet people where they are, answer questions, reduce stigma, and introduce community members to resources they may not have known existed.

Whether someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, feeling overwhelmed, concerned about a loved one, or simply looking for support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through call, text, or chat.

Throughout Pride Month, our team was grateful for the opportunity to celebrate alongside our communities while helping ensure that more people know where to find help when they need it most.

Click here to learn more about our Community Health and Outreach programs.