Mental Health
Woman’s suicide after repeated 911 calls reveals gaps in one city's pioneering crisis response system
Public health departments can tell you how many people they've referred for help and, possibly even, how many people have sought that help. But in Bend, Oregon, officials say it is harder to know how much of a difference the crisis response teams are making in actually saving lives.
FCC to vote on routing 988, crisis callers directly to local resources
Proponents of georouting 988 calls say it is especially important given the transient nature of many areas, including major cities.
Suicide rates for young Americans are increasing. Here’s what states are doing about it.
A $68 million federal grant program announced last week during Suicide Prevention Month will help support state programs aimed at solving the youth mental health crisis.
Study finds prevalence of firearms is driving soaring gun deaths in U.S.—not mental illness
Researchers compared the U.S. to 40 countries and found that Americans are 20 times more likely to die by firearms, even with a similar rate of mental health illness.
Community colleges step up to address young adults’ mental health
Young people feel uneasy about the future. But educational institutions are stepping up to give them the tools they need.
Surgeon general says minors’ social media use is causing parental stress
Over the past two years, states have passed dozens of laws to protect young people from the worst of the platforms. Here’s how they’ve done it.
Few states require foster homes to respect LGBTQ youths' identities
The lack of explicit anti-discrimination policies around gender and sexuality can have dire consequences for children and teens, advocates say.
How cities are rethinking who responds to 911 calls
Big cities have largely embraced so-called alternative response teams that send trained health care professionals in the place of law enforcement to handle low-risk situations. Now, the approach is moving to smaller jurisdictions.
Older adults want to age in place. Current policies don’t make it easy.
More opportunities for social events and accessible health services are a top priority for older adults, a new survey finds.
The fittest cities in America: See how yours compares
City officials have an important role to play in ensuring the well-being of their communities. Here’s how they can address resident health through policy and resources.
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At two-year mark, federal funding for 988 is running dry. Enter phone fees.
Only 10 states have identified permanent funding for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in their communities. Experts say a surcharge can help policymakers keep pace with the growing mental health crisis.
A $15M grant program looks to improve maternal mental, behavioral health
Pregnant people are at a heightened risk of developing mental health or substance use disorders, which is why the federal government is investing in a program to improve health care for new parents amid a maternal health crisis.
Amid mental health crisis, new compact allows social workers to practice across state lines
America is facing a shortage of social workers and other mental health providers.
Bans on gender-affirming care have 'chilling effect'
The number of state laws restricting LGBTQ rights is on the rise, experts say. The trend could worsen transgender individuals' access to mental and physical health care and exacerbate discrimination.
City tackles first responders’ opioid compassion fatigue
When physically and emotionally exhausted emergency personnel started saying, “Let them die,” officials in Huntington, West Virginia, knew they had a problem. They also had a solution.
To help address teens’ mental health needs, state to launch Youth Mental Health Corps
Colorado's program will train young adults ages 18 to 24 to connect middle and high school students to needed mental health supports and resources.
Florida’s school safety dashboard helps parents and teachers address root causes of misbehavior
COMMENTARY | School leaders can use the dashboard to identify areas of concern in their own school—such as an increasing pattern of fights—and then develop evidence-based solutions and training to address the issues.
FCC poised to require calls to the 988 suicide hotline be geolocated
Routing calls based on location versus a person’s area code is already standard for calls coming into 911. Elected officials and mental health advocates want 988 calls to be geolocated as well. A new FCC proposal would do that.
Beyond the books: Teens check out mental health resources at libraries
In Hartford, Kentucky, the public library invites teens to weekly sessions to foster positive thinking amid a growing youth mental health crisis.
In crisis and on hold: How the 988 hotline revamped callers' experience
To avoid people in need hanging up in frustration, the crisis and suicide hotline has changed the voice and the music that callers hear as they wait to be connected to counselors.
