Ohio Navigator

Finding mental health or addiction care in Ohio can be hard. The Ohio Navigator initiative is here to make it easier, whether you need help yourself or want to help others.

What Is It?

Ohio Navigator is a MACC initiative that helps people connect to mental health and addiction care more easily. We work to improve how Navigators do their jobs, clarify their roles, and make sure everyone can get help quickly—no matter their background.

MACC partnered with the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to study what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s needed to build a system that actually helps the people of Ohio.

At the heart of this work are “Behavioral Health Navigators.” These are trusted guides who help people find care and solve problems that get in the way. Navigators also help care recipients stay connected to that support over time.

Why Is It Needed?

Too many Ohioans can’t get the care they need. A statewide survey found that their biggest barriers are:

  • Fear of being judged (64%). Many people worry about what others will think if they ask for help.
  • Transportation (62%). Getting to appointments isn’t easy for everyone.
  • Cost and insurance (60%). Figuring out what’s covered—or how to afford it—stops people before they start.

Even when someone does reach out for care, they can get lost along the way. The survey found that dropped “handoffs”—when someone is referred, but no one follows up—are a real problem across the state.

Also, some parts of Ohio have more help available than others. Rural areas and underrepresented communities often have the fewest options.

These are the types of gaps the Ohio Navigator is working to close.

I Need Help Finding Care

If you or someone you know is looking for mental health or addiction support, a Navigator can help. They can:

  • Listen to what you need—without judgment.
  • Help you figure out where to go and who to call.
  • Help you solve practical problems like transportation or insurance questions.
  • Personally connect you to the right provider (not just a phone number).
  • Check in after your first visit to make sure you’re getting the support you need.

Ready to connect? Contact us to be connected with a Navigator.

I Want to Help Others Find Care

If you want to become a Navigator—or you already do this work and want better training—this section is for you.

Navigators build trust and meet people where they are. They help remove the barriers keeping people from getting quality care, whether that’s due to fear, confusion, transportation, or something else. They connect people to the right services, even following up to make sure it’s actually working. In many ways, Navigators serve as a bridge between communities and the care system.

We’re building a training program with input from Navigators, supervisors, and community partners across Ohio. It educates and prepares the Behavioral Health Navigator on common themes they’ll see in practice, like:

  • How Ohio’s behavioral health system works;
  • Understanding mental health and addiction;
  • Working with people from different backgrounds;
  • Solving practical problems (transportation, insurance, fear);
  • Making sure no one falls through the cracks.

Interested in becoming a Navigator or bringing training to your team? Contact us to learn more.

Tools, Data, & Downloads

Behavioral Health in Ohio: Improving Data, Moving Toward Racial and Ethnic Equity

  • Part 1: Ohio needs better data on how marginalized racial and ethnic groups experience behavioral health care. Without it, we can’t fix the disparities. Read Full Report
  • Part 2: Finding a provider who shares your background leads to better care—but Ohio doesn’t have enough diverse providers to meet the need. Read Full Report