On the 24th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School, the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) presented a series of solutions to strengthen the youth mental health ecosystem. Through an analysis of primary barriers to mental health and engagement with youth, parents, community and school-based advocacy groups, and policy thought leaders, CHI … Read more
Hawaii implemented its 988 crisis response line in July to provide more efficient access to those in need of assistance during mental health or suicide crises. Individuals with an 808 area code can now call 988 to connect to the Hawaii Department of Health’s (DOH) Hawaii CARES crisis line to access crisis support services. The … Read more
Le Ondra Clark Harvey, PhD, is the Chief Executive Officer at the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies (CBHA). Four of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s crisis call centers in the state are members of the CBHA. In this Q&A, Clark Harvey discusses how the new 988 system is going to impact the current … Read more
Behavioral health officials discussed the implementation of the 988 suicide prevention call line at a meeting on Tuesday. Members of the Crisis Response Improvement Strategy (CRIS) Committee discussed the national 988 call line, which is a universal number people can call to receive personal assistance—or help for a loved one—if they are suffering … Read more
As Oregon’s suicide numbers decline, a Washington County suicide prevention specialist points to bystanderism as a key element to keeping those numbers down. Oregon had the nation’s 13th highest suicide rate across all ages in 2020—an improvement from the year before, when the state was ninth in suicide deaths, according to the Centers … Read more
Colorado is launching an online platform, Operation Veteran Strong, designed to connect veterans to the right national and local resources at the right time to increase self-awareness, build resilience, and prevent the development of mental health and well-being crises. Although veterans make up nearly 10% of the population, 17% of all suicides in Colorado are … Read more