Prevention
The Center for Suicide Prevention and Research helps schools and community organizations in Ohio implement evidence-based prevention strategies. Dr. Ackerman and his team have provided training to many schools throughout central and southeastern Ohio, using an enhanced SOS Signs of Suicide prevention programming model with a focus on fidelity and long-term sustainability. Efforts are underway to support out-of-school programs such as the Boys and Girls Clubs to implement effective suicide prevention strategies as well. The CSPR also provides a variety of tailored trainings to support youth serving organizations in identifying and supporting individuals at risk for suicide.
Trainings
The Center for Suicide Prevention and Research helps schools and community organizations in Ohio implement evidence-based prevention strategies.
Meet Our Team
John Ackerman, PhD
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
John.Ackerman@NationwideChildrens.org
John Ackerman, PhD, is a child clinical psychologist and the suicide prevention clinical manager for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Dr. Ackerman also supports clinical training of psychologists, social workers and counselors at Nationwide Children's. He serves on the hospital’s Zero Suicide Implementation team and is involved in training on suicide screening and risk assessment in primary care and community settings. Dr. Ackerman has a strong research interest in risk factors and treatments for mood disorders and suicide. His research focuses on neurocognitive risk factors for youth suicidal behavior. He has also published on how media reporting impacts youth suicide and has provided training to the journalists in Ohio on best practices in discussing suicide as part of a grant funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Additionally, Dr. Ackerman is an active member of the American Association of Suicidology, the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Franklin County Child Fatality Review Board, Zero Suicide Institute and the National Behavioral Health Innovations (BHI) Advisory Council.
Amberle Prater, PhD, LPCC-S
Clinical Lead Supervisor
Amberle.Prater@NationwideChildrens.org
Dr. Prater is the clinical lead supervisor for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She coordinates planning and implementation of evidence-based suicide prevention programming in schools including the SOS Signs of Suicide Program throughout central and southeast Ohio. She serves Ohio communities and the hospital in training for suicide prevention initiatives with consideration for research on risk factors and interventions to support youth with suicidal behavior. Prior to this role, Amberle was a full-time clinician working with children, adolescents, and families. Her areas of specialized interest include families of first responders, individuals who have experienced trauma and grief, foster and adoption families, and individuals with developmental disabilities.
Melanie Fluellen, LPCC-S
Suicide Prevention Specialist
Melanie.Fluellen@NationwideChildrens.org
Melanie is a licensed professional clinical counselor and suicide prevention specialist with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In her role, she assists schools with implementing the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program and provides ongoing clinical counseling for teens struggling with depression and anxiety as well as suicide ideation and attempts. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University and her Master of Science in Education and Allied Professions degree from the University of Dayton. Melanie has been a clinician for 13 years in various behavioral health programs at Nationwide Children’s. She has experience treating adolescents and teens that have experienced trauma due to sexual abuse, physical abuse and/or exposure to domestic violence.
Stephanie Castine, LISW
Suicide Prevention Specialist
Stephanie.Mielke@NationwideChildrens.org
Stephanie is a licensed independent social worker in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research. Stephanie graduated from The Ohio State University College of Social Work with a master’s degree in Social Work and a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse. In addition to prevention services, Stephanie provides direct outpatient clinical services. Stephanie has been at Nationwide Children’s for more than five years and is experienced in delivering evidence-based interventions, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Rachel Jones, LPCC-S
Suicide Prevention Specialist
Rachel.Jones@NationwideChildrens.org
Rachel is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Suicide Prevention Specialist in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research. She collaborates with Ohio middle and high schools to implement the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program.
Rachel began her career at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 2011 working in clinical research. After graduating with her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from The Ohio State University, she began working in Big Lots Behavioral Health Services at Nationwide Children’s as a full-time clinician, where she worked for seven years treating children, adolescents and their families in outpatient and community settings.
In her current role, Rachel continues to provide outpatient counseling to teens who struggle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and behaviors. Rachel also volunteers as a parent-surrogate for special education students in central Ohio and serves as a grief counselor at Camp Lionheart each July.
Lorena V. Asadi, LISW-S
Suicide Prevention Specialist
Lorena.Asadi@NationwideChildrens.org
Lorena is a licensed independent social worker and a suicide prevention specialist with the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research. Prior to this role within Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Lorena worked as a community-based clinician with the Family-Based Intensive Treatment (FBIT) team. In addition to prevention services, Lorena provides direct outpatient services with CSPR, where she practices using evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Lorena graduated from The Ohio State University College of Social Work with a master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Misuse, and provides services in both English and Spanish.
Micah Morgan, LPC
Suicide Prevention Specialist
Micah.Morgan@NationwideChildrens.org
Micah is a licensed professional counselor and suicide prevention specialist with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In her role, she assists schools with implementing the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program and provides outpatient clinical counseling for adolescents. Micah received her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Ohio University and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. Micah has served as a clinician in various behavioral health programs including community-based mental health, employee assistance programs, and private practice. She has experience treating adults, couples, and teens that have a trauma history. She is skilled in integrating cultural issues like stage of life, family of origin and attachment, and issues stemming from the Black/ African-American cultural experience into the treatment process.
Fatimah Masood
Caring Contacts Manager
Fatimah.Masood@NationwideChildrens.org
Fatimah Masood serves as the Caring Contacts comanager for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her work includes following up with youth at risk of suicide and their families after a hospital discharge via evidence-based interventions to enhance continuity of care and achieve best outcomes. Fatimah is also a diversity and inclusion committee member for the community based behavioral health team, a member of the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition Communications Action team, a call-taker and trainer at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a Mental Health taskforce member at the Noor Islamic Community Center and a freelance artist. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with a minor in Studio Art from The Ohio State University in 2019 and a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University in 2022. She is currently pursuing graduate studies in social work from The Ohio State University.
Elena Camacho
Caring Contacts Manager
Elena.Camacho@NationwideChildrens.org
Elena Camacho serves as the Caring Contacts comanager for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Her work includes following up with youth at risk of suicide and their families after a hospital discharge via evidence-based interventions to enhance continuity of care and achieve best outcomes. Elena is also a diversity and inclusion committee member for the community based behavioral health team, and she volunteers her time outside of work answering the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and working with the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition Communications Action Team. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University in 2018, and is pursuing graduate studies in social work.
Ben Miller
Project Specialist
Benjamin.Miller@NationwideChildrens.org
Ben is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor serving as a project specialist within the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) focusing on the development and implementation of programming and trainings related to Suicide Prevention. He has been working within Nationwide Children’s Hospital since 2016. Prior to joining CSPR, he was a full time clinician with experience working in Community Based Crisis and Autism services, Inpatient Psychiatric services, outpatient therapy for adults and adolescents, parent training, and crisis interventions for suicidal/homicidal ideation and psychosis in the Psychiatric Crisis Department. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University in 2015 and his Masters of Education in Clinical Counseling from the University of Dayton in 2020.