NEWSBRIEFS
In a Mental Health Crises ? In July , Dial 988 Instead of 911
It ’ s been more than three years in the works , but plans are advancing for the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to go live in July 2022 . 988 is an alternative to 911 for people in mental health crisis .
Until then , state and federal efforts are being directed at developing and implementing the new Lifeline number . Federal advocacy efforts are focused on increasing funding for the Lifeline , while states are focused on passing legislation in all 50 states and DC to support 988 implementation , which AMHCA supports , says AMHCA President & Interim CEO / ED Beverly Smith , PhD , LPC ( GA , AL ), NCC , CCMHC , ACS , NCSC , CFT , HS-BCP , BCC , MAC , CPCS , BC-TMH , CCTP , BCPCC .
988 will replace the existing Lifeline , which since 2005 has provided free , around-the-clock confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress . 988 will resolve the two main barriers to the Lifeline ’ s effectiveness : insufficient funding and capacity to respond to a steadily increasing call volume , according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention .
“ When people call , text , or chat 988 , they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network . These trained counselors will listen , understand how their problems are affecting them , provide support , and connect them to resources if necessary ,” according to https :// suicidepreventionlifeline . org .
For more information , visit :
• The Federal Communications Commission : bit . ly / 32vDuJE
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA ): bit . ly / 34ahtjV
• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention : bit . ly / 3qZ6aUI
• Frequently Asked Questions : 988 & Crisis Response Services : bit . ly / 3AxpzPJ
U . S . Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Youth Mental Health Crisis
The U . S . Surgeon General issued a new Advisory report on Dec . 7 calling for action to address the nation ’ s youth mental health crisis . The report , “ The U . S . Surgeon General ’ s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health ” outlines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of America ’ s youth and families , as well as the mental health challenges that existed long before the pandemic .
“ Even before the pandemic , an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness , depression , and thoughts of suicide — and rates have increased over the past decade ,” said Surgeon General and Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy , MD . “ As we work to protect the health of Americans in the face of a new variant , we also need to focus on how we can emerge stronger on the other side . This advisory shows us how we can all work together to step up for our children during this dual crisis .”
Among the Advisory ’ s top recommendations are to :
• Recognize that mental health is an essential part of overall health .
• Empower youth and their families to recognize , manage , and learn from difficult emotions .
• Ensure that every child has access to high-quality , affordable , and culturally competent mental health care .
• Support the mental health of children and youth in educational , community , and childcare settings . And expand and support the early childhood and education workforce .
• Address the economic and social barriers that contribute to poor mental health for young people , families , and caregivers .
• Increase timely data collection and research to identify and respond to youth mental health needs more rapidly . This includes more research on the relationship between technology and youth mental health , and more transparency from technology companies with data and algorithmic processes that could enable this research .
Before the COVID-19 pandemic , mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people , with up to 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 in the U . S . having a mental , emotional , developmental , or behavioral disorder . Additionally , from 2009 to 2019 , the share of high school students who reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased by 40 percent , to more than one in three students .
Suicidal behaviors among high school students also increased during the decade preceding COVID , with 19 percent seriously considering attempting suicide — a 36 percent increase from 2009 to 2019 , and about 16 percent having made a suicide plan in the prior year — a 44 percent increase from 2009 to 2019 . Between 2007 and 2018 , suicide rates among youth ages 10-24 in the United States increased by 57 percent , and early estimates show more than 6,600 suicide deaths among this age group in 2020 .
The pandemic ’ s negative impacts have most heavily affected those who were vulnerable to begin with — such as youth with disabilities , racial and ethnic minorities , LGBTQ + youth , low-income youth , youth in rural areas , youth in immigrant households , youth involved with the child welfare or juvenile justice systems , and homeless youth .
“ The future wellbeing of our country depends on how we support and invest in the next generation ,” Dr . Murthy reminded the nation .
To read the full “ Surgeon General ’ s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health ,” download the free PDF at https :// bit . ly / 3GTRknC .
The Advocate Magazine Fall 2021 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org 99