Message from the President/CEO and Chair of the Board

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In 1923, Central Clinic Behavioral Health (CCBH) was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Community Chest, now known as United Way. This investment launched the first mental health nonprofit serving both children and adults in the State of Ohio – our organization.

June 2024 marked the beginning of Central Clinic Behavioral Health’s 101st year. We are known for pioneering services that meet the unique cultural needs of specialized populations across our community. Our century-long commitment to meeting the needs of the community has had a lasting impact, offering a foundation for launching innovative services. Our philosophy to build programs that consider intricacies and identify options to overcome barriers supports our clients in their path of healing, recovery and resiliency. This same philosophy is being carried forward into our 101st year with a newfound excitement.

Remarkable things can happen during times of transition. Fresh enthusiasm has ignited thoughtful contemplation of possibilities. We are connecting with others and thinking outside the box for ways to modernize and enhance our reputation for being a leader in behavioral health. Together we are making things happen! Two new programs are being piloted: one that seeks to address bed shortages at the regional state hospital and the other tailored to meet the needs of individuals over the age of 60.

Central Clinic Behavioral Health (CCBH) has promoted Bob Weghorst, LISW, to its Director of Adult Services, effective May 1.

Weghorst has been a vital resource for CCBH, a nonprofit committed to compassionate behavioral health services for lasting recovery and resiliency, since 2014. He was previously a Case Manager, Therapist and Case Management Supervisor for Adult Services.

“Bob Weghorst’s leadership, passion and dedication to behavioral health have provided integral support to our organization for a decade,” said Dr. Kimberly Mages, CCBH President and CEO. “As Director of Adult Services, he will connect even more individuals with services to find hope, healing and well-being.”

Letter from Chair of the Board and CEO

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In 1923, Central Clinic Behavioral Health (CCBH) was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Community Chest, now known as United Way. This investment launched the first mental health nonprofit serving both children and adults in the State of Ohio – our organization.

For those of you familiar with Cincinnati and its healthcare community, you will recognize the name of Dr. Emerson A. North. In 1956, the Cincinnati Sanitarium (originally established in 1873) was renamed for Emerson Arthur North, MD because he was a pioneer in clinical psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. North was hired as the first director of CCBH, then called Central Psychiatric Clinic, and he led the agency through the initial stages of growth while holding a position as professor of psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Chief Clinical Officer chosen for impactful role for vision, leadership

Cincinnati, OH – Central Clinic Behavioral Health (CCBH) announced today that its Board of Trustees has selected Kimberly Mages, Ph.D. as its new President & CEO, effective Jan. 2, 2024. Dr. Mages, a fixture within the organization for the last 15 years, emerged as the top candidate to lead the oldest outpatient mental health clinic west of the Alleghenies.

Dr. Mages will begin her tenure as President & CEO as CCBH enters its 101st year of providing choices and options through a compassionate approach to behavioral health services that results in lasting recovery and resiliency. She brings extensive experience to a position long held by the retiring Walter S. Smitson, Ph.D., who has served CCBH for the last 55 years.

Each year the NASW Ohio Chapter recognizes exceptional social workers, students, and agencies whose work in service to their communities reflects the values of the social work profession. Regional winners have been selected from the nominees for each of the NASW Ohio Chapter’s 8 regions.

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Because of you, Central Clinic Behavioral Health remains viable, relevant, and innovative. Our personnel meet the needs of thousands of adults, families, and children yearly because of your generous philanthropy – thank you. Each autumn, I am reminded of just how generous our community is and how we benefit from this.

Did you know greater Cincinnati is facing a “growing mental health crisis, especially among our youth where one in five people experience mental illness and one in seven experience a substance use disorder?” (Source: Interact for Health.) Add to these the social and racial inequities for people of color, low-income families, and the LGBTQ+ population – all of whom experience challenges. This is where Central Clinic Behavioral Health steps in to provide innovative, sound, and trauma-informed care for our community.

This is our one time a year that we reach out to the community to help fund our mission to: provide choices and options through a compassionate approach to behavioral health services that results in lasting recovery and resiliency for children, families, and adults.

As you think about your year-end charitable giving, I would appreciate your consideration of an investment in the adults, children, and families that we serve every day at Central Clinic Behavioral Health. All of us remain steadfast in providing the right service at the right time.

I know you have charitable choices to make. Please consider a generous tax-deductible* gift so that we can continue to help more adults, children, and their families.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Sincerely,

Walter S. Smitson, PhD.
President & CEO

*Please seek the advice of your financial planner or accountant to determine tax deductibility.

What a difference 100 years makes! What began in 1923 has evolved over the past 100 years into an award-winning behavioral health services organization serving nearly 18,000 people per year – Central Clinic Behavioral Health.

Established in 1923 with a five-year, $30,000 investment from Community Chest (now United Way), Central Clinic Behavioral Health (CCBH) was the first mental health nonprofit organization in the State of Ohio and one of the only community clinics serving both children and adults. Central Psychiatric Clinic, its original name, received national attention because it provided community-based mental health services for children — a different approach for treating patients at that time. The uniqueness of CCBH is evident in every service delivered – every patient/client experiences hope. Services are accessible, individualized, effective, consum- er-oriented, recovery/resiliency-based, and trauma-informed.

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