DeWine visits Dayton Children’s to announce mental health summit

Gov. Mike DeWine speaks at Dayton Children’s Hospital.

Gov. Mike DeWine speaks at Dayton Children’s Hospital.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced a statewide summit on childhood mental health during a visit to Dayton Children’s Hospital this morning in the wake of the Sunday mass shooting in the Oregon District.

Nine people were killed and more than 30 were injured around 1 a.m. Sunday when a gunman opened fire just outside Ned Peppers Bar.

“We meet this morning really still with a shadow of the great tragedy that occurred this past weekend,” DeWine said.

» RELATED: Would governor’s 17-point plan stopped Sunday’s gun violence?

The governor’s office, along with the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, will host the summit, called “Building Resiliency.” It is scheduled for Sept. 26 in Dayton.

“What we’re doing today is one more step,” DeWine said. “We want everyone to know what trauma looks like.”

The summit will serve as a “call to action.” He also said a downloadable book is available on his website that addresses childhood mental health.

DeWine’s announcement comes just days after he released a 17 proposals designed to curb gun violence and address mental health in an effort to prevent another mass shooting in the Buckeye State.

The plans he announced Tuesday included funding in the new state budget for mental health care. DeWine also has asked the General Assembly to pass legislation to free up beds in psychiatric hospitals by creating an outpatient program for people ordered into such facilities by a court.

Ohio is one of the top states for children who have suffered some form of trauma, the governor said.

“We know what impact that trauma has on children,” DeWine said. “We have to do something about it.”

MORE ON THE DAYTON SHOOTING

» PHOTOS: Scenes from the Oregon District shooting

» Dayton Shooting: Names of victims released

» Hotlines, meeting site set for families of victims

» Doorbell camera records response to save lives

» Oregon District businesses issue response to deadly attack

About the Author