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Dialing up help for mental health issues about to take a big step forward

Thomasville Times-Enterprise - 6/14/2022

Jun. 13—THOMASVILLE — Help for mental health issues could be just a phone call of three digits away starting next month.

The Thomasville chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity sponsored a mental health awareness campaign Saturday at the Marguerite Neel Williams Boys and Girls Club, and one of the highlights was the announcement of the 988 crisis line.

"It's so important to get the word out into the Thomasville community and we want to expand much further than this," said Marvin Dawson of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. "We just want to get the word out about mental health because this is a very important issue. There is so much going on, so many people are losing their lives. They're taking their lives, they're taking other people's lives."

Beginning July 16, 988 goes live nationwide, said David Sofferin, director of public affairs for the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

What 988 will do, Sofferin said, is connect people to suicide prevention and behavioral criss resources.

"Anyone in the United States can call 988 and talk to a trained staff member 24 hours a day, seven days a week," he said.

Speakers included several from the field of academia, Thomasville native and director of PEGLLLLab at the University of Virginia's Batten School of Public Policy and Leadership Brian Williams and Ernie Stevens, a former San Antonio, Texas, police officer.

Stevens was featured in the documentary "Crisis Cops," which followed Stevens and his partner as they responded to mental health crisis calls. The documentary has been shown to thousands of local law enforcement agencies.

"Most people did not join the police department with the desire and the knowledge to answer mental health calls," Stevens said. "What I found out quickly is I was not prepared to respond to mental health calls at all.

"I had no idea the opportunity law enforcement was missing when it came to responding to mental health calls," Stevens continued. "We were not equipped. This was seen as a social issue. We weren't doing a good job of that at all."

Stevens also is working on the aftermath of the Uvalde, Texas, school mass shooting.

Stevens said he wanted to make his training and the lessons he and his partner learned available for the rest of the San Antonio department and neighboring municipalities. The documentary is also available for screening by local law enforcement and municipal agencies.

Having a mental health response team is the future of policing Stevens said. He said there has been a shift in police funding to place an emphasis on mental health.

"Changing the response from 911 to the response for crisis calls is something that is way overdue," he said.

San Antonio now has several programs of co-responders, including one funded by a several hospitals. They also have identified the 100 most frequent individuals who go in and out of the acute care health system.

"We try to get ahead of the 911 call," Stevens said. "A lot of times they don't have access to a doctor. They don't have transportation. If we can get to a patient before a 911 call, a cost savings and better care for these patients."

Lindsay LePage, a doctoral candidate at the University of Georgia, noted that more than one in five adults experienced mental illness in the last year. Of that, 19% are anxiety disorders and 21% are experiencing homelessness.

LePage also cited studies showing 37% of people in state and federal prison and 44% in local jails have a diagnosed mental health condition.

Mental health is also a critical problem among youths. One in three young adults 18-25 experienced a mental illness problem and among those ages 6-17, 17% had a mental health disorder.

Also, 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14 and 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health condition.

Of the juveniles diagnosed with a mental health condition, only half received treatment.

LePage added the suicide rate is up 35% over the past three years. It is the leading cause of death for people incarcerated and is the No. 2 cause of death of law enforcement officers.

"People don't have to suffer in silence," she said.

Zachary Harris, from the University of Virginia's PEGLLLab, said mental health issues can stem as a result of racial trauma, social media use or drug addiction.

"The one unifying factor about mental health issues is that they affect everyone," he said. "Often these crises go unnoticed. Mental health has an impact on everyone, no matter who you are, where you are or where you're from."

Harris also pointed out that people suffering from a mental health crisis are 16 times more likely to be killed in a police encounter.

"When you look at law enforcement and mental health, the two impact each other on both sides of the issue," he said. "We want to intervene with mental health issues before they become a crisis."

Harris said there needs to be an overlap so groups such as the police department and the sheriff's office can work with Georgia Pines, Archbold Medical Center and the Georgia Crisis and Access Line to address mental health issues before it results in a crisis. The Thomas County Dispatch Office has handled at least 750 mental health calls a year since 2017.

Dr. Seong Kang of New Mexico State University alluded to studies on the deleterious effects of social media on teenagers. They now have less in-person time with others and often question their identity and self-worth. And, instead of feeling more connected, they're actually getting lonelier.

Kurali Grantham of PEGLLLLab said that 16% of Blacks in the U.S. reported having a mental illness in the last year. That equates to 7 million people — more than population of Chicago, Houston and Philadelphia combined.

Blacks have an inadequate access of health care and delivery of care, Grantham said, as a result of structural, institutional and individual racism.

Also, 11.5% of Blacks remain without health insurance, as opposed to 7.5% of whites, Grantham said.

Part of the mission of Saturday's event was to remove the stigma of seeking help for mental health problems, Dawson said.

"That's one of the first things that happens is people deny they need the help," he said. "It's important for us to remove that stigma for folks who feel like they don't need help when they really do.

"It's for everybody," Dawson added, "but particular the Black community. We need the Black community to come out and say, 'it's OK to say I need help and point me in the right direction to get that help.' And we just want to let them know we are here for them."

The soon-to-open 988 line could be crucial. In August 2019, Federal Communications Commission staff released a report recommending 988 as a three-digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The FCC worked with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services'Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and the North American Numbering Council.

Once 988 goes active, callers will be put in touch with "somebody who can walk in your shoes," Sofferin said.

Those who dial 988 can call, text or online chat with help. Questions can be asked at 988GA.org too, Sofferin pointed out.

"We don't want to see people waiting until there is a full-blown crisis before they call 988," he said.

Sofferin also noted how he is in contact with the state Department of Agriculture every day on mental health issues.

"I never thought I'd be working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture," he said. "I am on the phone with them almost every single day about farm stress. We are losing farmers to suicide every day."

Sofferin said the GCAL (Georgia Crisis and Access Line) app can be downloaded for text or chat and is available 24/7.

Dawson said they plan to hold another such awareness campaign in the fall.

"We just want to do our part to make a difference in our community and continue to open those lines of communication, so we can move forward in a positive way," he said.

Suicide rate is up 35% over the past three years.

Number one cause of deaths in jails and among LEOs.

"It's so important to get the word out into the Thomasville community and we want to expand much further than this," said Marvin Dawson of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. "We just want to get the word out about mental health because this is a very important issue. There is so much going on, so many people are losing their lives. They're taking their lives, they're taking other people's lives."

We just want to do our part to make a difference in our community and continue to open those lines of communication so we can move forward in a positive way.

Ernie Stevens, Crisis Cops:

that is a fantastic outcome. so proud you're part of that.

would like to see it n more communities.

Most people did not join the police department with the desire and the knowledge to answer mental health calls.

What I found out quickly is I was not prepared to respond to mental health calls at all.

She asked me about my path, my journey into mental health.

I had no idea the opportunity law enforcement was missing when it came to responding to mental health calls. We were not equipped. This was seen as a social issue.

We weren't doing a good job of that at all.

I wanted to make this training available for San Antonio's officers as well as for surrounding municipalities.

This film has gone out to thousands of police departments. Changing the response from 911 to the response fo crisis calls is something that is way overdue.

Every community of how do we partner our law enforcement with our mental health professionals.

It really is that now (future of policing)

There are some medical issues that go hand-in-hand.

to assure the community we are there to help.

and listen to them, and that';s what we've seen the last several years. shifting funding in police departments to place an emphasis on mental health.

(working on the Uvalde situation)

We have several programs of co-responders in San Antonio. The first is funded by several hospitals. A steering committee. These hospitals have put money in the steering committee and they have used to money to establish the responder units.

One, identify the 100 most familiar faces that go in and out of the acute health care system. We try to get ahead of the 911 call.

A lot of times they don't have access to a doctor. They don't have transportation.

If we can get to a patient before a 911 call, a cost savings and better care for these patients.

Funded through hospitals, philanthropies and government budgets.

DuPage:

as of 2020, about 21% had experienced MI in the past year.

Anxiety is the most frequent.

44% of LGBTQ

30% of multi racial

About one in five adults experience mental health and substance abuse

About 75% of MH tends to occur before age 24 (?)

Suicide rate is up 35% over the past three years.

Number one cause of deaths in jails and among LEOs.

People don't have to suffer in silence.

Zachary Harris:

Mental issues come up as a result of racial trauma, social media use, as a result of drug addiction.

The one unifying factor about mental health issues is that they affect everyone.

Often these crises go unnoticed.

when you look at law enforcement and mental health, the two impact each other on both sides of the issue.

16 times more likely to be killed in a police encounter than their counterparts.

A stigma of shame — often leads to people not seeking the help they need.

Not all institutions are treated the same. Who you're talking to matters.

Police officers are for example are trained to respond and contain.

We want to intervene with mental health issues before they become a crisis.

Create overlap to create collaboration to find areas where they can work together and create a flow of mental health.

Mental health has an impact on everyone, no matter who you are, where you are or where you're from.

assistant professor at New Mexico State University:

Seong Kang

Nicholas Wright:

structural and institutional racism.

thinking about Black communities and mental health

disparities in access (?)

a huge gap in access

11.5% of individuals in Black community are uninsured versus 7.5%

feelings of safety and security

(often see spirituality and church as the answer instead of medication?)

David Sofferin:

have a regional field for mental health and a regional field office for DBHDD.

988 is a national three-digit dial connect people to suicide prevention and behavioral criss resources.

roll out july 16

anyone in the United States can call 988 and talk to a trained staff member

24 hours a day, seven days a week

a big opportunity.

911 rolled out 31 years ago.

connect someone immediately to resources, promote cost efficiency, reduce the impact on law enforcement.

When you call 911, you're not going to get a multi- program.

We are ready to make strides.

Can call, text or chat.

talk to somebody who can walk in your shoes

second one is someone to respond. If you can stop it right here and not have to go any further (pointing at slide), that's great.

mobile crisis services available in all 159 counties in the great state of Georgia.

It will coordinate with 911 and EMS as needed.

outpatient crisis — can be moved over to Georgia Pines.

Georgia Crisis Call Center — 988 is the initial step .

working closely with 911 to see what they have done.

someone to talk to.

we do not know the volume of calls are going to be like.

FY21:

275,000 calls going into crisis

That's a lot of calls. That's a 24% increase even without 988.

We have very acute workforce shortages.

Incentives to get people to come into the field.

Tuition reimbursement (?)

not doing a big marketing campaign until mid 2023.

very important we have two-way communication about the rollout.

You won't see banners on MARTA buses or at MARTA stations.

We are getting out and talking to the stakeholders.

988GA.org

someone is probably already asking that question.

We don't want to see people waiting until there is a full-blown crisis before they call 988

I never thought I'd be working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. I am on the phone with them almost every single day about farm stress.

we are losing farmers to suicide every day.

You can talk about it. Go out and talk to 10 people and mention it.

GCAL — can download app and text or chat.

It's available 24/7, 365

Todd Lynch:

reinforce

this is a really important issue

(launched a program in Moultrie)

I've been on both sides of crisis response and I understand the need from both sides.

NAMIMoultrie.org

experiencing some unconscious trauma — engage you all right now. firm believer in micro doses of self-care

police chief came to me and he wanted help

communication is the key.

we've been communicating ever since.

we put it together ourselves. everyone has been really receptive.

it's the trust — making sure everyone knows what is going on.

keep all of the stakeholders engaged in the conversation.

Andre:

we are working hard to fill the gaps

There are not enough professionals. Even those who are retired to work with us.

In August 2019, FCC staff—in consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services'Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and the North American Numbering Council—released a report recommending the use of 988 as the 3-digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In July 2020, the FCC adopted rules designating this new phone number for individuals in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. In November 2021, the FCC adopted rules to expand access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by establishing the ability to text 988 to directly reach the Lifeline to better support at-risk communities in crisis, including youth and individuals with disabilities. The transition will result in phone service providers and covered text providers directing all 988 calls and texts to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022.

—Suicide prevention is a critical need. Since 2008, suicide has ranked as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Suicide claimed the lives of more than 44,000 Americans in 2020, and evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated suicidal thoughts and actions. —Individuals who need help today can find it by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling 1-800-273-8255 (1- 800-273-TALK) and through online chats. Veterans and Service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing, as w

The resources and information on this page are designed to help states, territories, tribes, mental health and substance use disorder professionals, and others looking for information on understanding the background, history, funding opportunities, and implementation resources for strengthening suicide prevention and mental health crisis services. 988 goes live on all devices on July 16, 2022.

In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to be operated through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. SAMHSA sees 988 as a first step towards a transformed crisis care system in America.

Marvin:

we're going to do this again in the fall. we're going to stay connected to this very, very important initiative.

It's so important to get the word out into the Thomasville community and we want to expand much further than this.

Just to get the word out about mental health because this is a very important issue. There is so much going on, so many people are losing their lives. They're taking their lives, they're taking other people's lives.

We just want to do our part to make a difference in our community and continue to open those lines of communication so we can move forward in a positive way.

It's very important. That's one fo the first things that happens is people deny they need the help. It's important for us to remove that stigma for folks who feel like they don't need help when they really do.

Its going to be a tremendous help.

It's or everybody but particular the Black community. We need the Black community to come out and say, it's OK to say I need help and point me in the right direction to get that help. and we just want to let them know we are here for them.

___

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