Newsletter: Mental health (still) matters

If you like statistics, there seems to be nothing easier than digging up numbers on the productivity costs of mental health trauma.

Untreated mental illness costs the Dayton area almost $30 billion a year, according to a study released last fall.

Nationally, the cost is closer to $280 billion annually, one study says. Globally, raise that number to a trillion, according to other estimates.

However you measure it, the problem is expensive, professionally and personally — and it seems to be growing.

In this newsletter:

  • How Shook Construction is celebrating 100 years in business.
  • Kettering Health is reaching out to patients about its data breach.
  • Yes, sports fans — the University of Dayton and Wright State will square off.

Scott McGohan’s new venture seeks a brighter morning for all

Scott McGohan, at the South Dixie Drive offices of McGohan Brabender, where he retired as chairman and CEO in 2024. Today, McGohan has a new company, a mental health benefits brokerage, One Morning. He remains a McGohan Brabender board member. THOMAS GNAU/STAFF

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‘My soul is cooked:’ One January morning 18 years ago, Scott McGohan woke up and knew he needed help.

  • The future chief executive of McGohan Brabender walked into a meeting of a SouthBrook Christian Church recovery support group and told those around him: “My name is Scott, and my soul is cooked.”

One Morning: McGohan found help. Now, his new venture seeks to help others do the same.

Read the story.

READ OUR SERIES: Mental Health Matters.

Kettering Health sends out data breach notices

Aerial view of Kettering Health main campus on Southern Blvd. in Kettering. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

What you need to know: Kettering Health has been sending new notices to patients whose personal data was breached following the May 20 cyberattack.

Plan of defense: The hospital system says it is looking for ways to prevent similar events from happening in the future, the letter states.

Read the story.

Central State faculty union challenges cuts

BRYANT BILLING/STAFF

Credit: Bryant Billing

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Credit: Bryant Billing

What you need to know: The Central State University faculty union says planned layoffs reflect only a partial picture of losses the university has seen in recent years. Members are concerned about the future.

Read the story.

ALSO: Xenia to incorporate CSU campus.

Report: Nixing Ohio’s property taxes will have a cost

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine addresses reporters in Columbus on Feb. 5, 2026. AVERY KREEMER / STAFF

Credit: Avery Kreemer

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Credit: Avery Kreemer

What you should know: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently said the void left by canceled property taxes might have a serious cost —including a sales tax boost of up to 20% “We would be in a huge crisis in the state of Ohio,” DeWine said.

Read the story.

Another Wright-Patterson contractor expects to lay off workers

An F-15E Strike Eagle with the 4th Fighter Wing approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing to be refueled over the skies of North Carolina, Jan. 21, 2026. Air National Guard photo by Airman Samir Harris

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What happened: Astrion expects to lay off 61 employees after the “potential” loss of an F-15 contract at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the company recently warned the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

  • A planned permanent separation day for workers tied to the F-15 program will come near the end of May, the company said in a Worker Adjustment Retraining Notice letter.

Read the story.

RECALL: Sumaria to lay off 50+ workers.

Newsletter numbers

$473 million: What Shook Construction saw in revenue last year. Read the story.

$41.9 million: The sale price this week for a distribution center near Dayton International. Read the story.

Contact me: Tell me about your business at tom.gnau@coxinc.com or on X, where DMs are always on. I’m also on LinkedIn and on our Dayton Business page, with my colleagues. Find me as well on my Facebook page.

Newsletter roundup

UD and WSU to face off: But in baseball, not the other sport.

New Lebanon council: Councilman-elect disqualified.

Chipotle: Coming to Tipp.

Basements and melting snow: What you need to know.

Taking flight: A Hospice patient’s final wish.

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