Wyoming has had the highest suicide rate in the nation for four consecutive years through 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prompting the state to pour more resources into responding to the crisis.
A new report finds that about 90% of calls to Wyoming’s 988 crisis line are being answered within the state. Previously, calls were routed elsewhere, but the state is working to localize responses.
Two call centers offering 24/7 support opened in Wyoming in 2020 and currently average about 500 calls per month across the state, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.
Department spokeswoman Kim Deti said the state is working to set up helpline text and online chat options statewide, and that local connections are key.
“We believe Wyomingites will feel more connected and empathetic to the people in their community, whether that’s through a phone call, text or chat,” Deti explained.
A 2023 state law established a trust fund for the program but did not provide additional funding to cover its costs. A proposed $40 million allocation this year was cut to $10 million in the final state budget. Federal funding is also available through July 2025.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help can be received by calling or texting 988.
The nonprofit Inseparable released a report this month on improving crisis response systems, encouraging states to pursue policies to develop infrastructure, accountability, workforce capacity and sustainable funding.
Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer at mental health advocacy group Inseparable, said responding to mental health emergencies should be similar to responding to other emergencies when it comes to payments.
“The police come. They don’t ask for insurance or who pays the insurance first. The same goes for mental health, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts,” Kimball said. “We want them to respond in all cases.”
Kimball argued that funding for the mental health crisis is needed beyond Medicaid.
Disclosure: Inseparable donates to funds for reporting on criminal justice, health issues, mental health and social justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, please click here.
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Florida has been gaining attention for its efforts to create a comprehensive crisis response system to address mental health needs.
A new report by mental health advocacy group Inseparable calls for policies to expand 988 call center capacity, increase the availability of mobile response units, create more crisis stabilization centers and establish stable funding mechanisms to sustain services.
Florida Behavioral Health Association President Melanie Brown Woofter said the state is doing everything it can to provide care to people in crisis, including opening more clinics.
“And now, with our certified community behavioral health clinics, we have a complete system in place to ensure that individuals in crisis can seek care, get connected to the right level of care at the right time,” Brown Woofter explained, “and have access to the resources they need.”
She noted that Florida has been operating mobile response teams for more than 30 years, putting it far ahead of other states. She noted that state funding has been increased to expand services and set up central reception facilities, but they are not yet available in all states.
These facilities offer comprehensive care, from crisis intervention to residential treatment, detoxification services and child care, all in one location, she said.
Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer at Inseparable, said the project features solutions designed to ensure everyone experiencing a mental health crisis gets the right services at the right time, providing lawmakers with a detailed roadmap.
“Our real goal is to create a tool that’s very visual and easy to understand so they can understand how to be a champion,” Kimball emphasized, “so that their worst days don’t stop them from living their best lives.”
Another of Kimball’s goals is to spark discussion about what can be achieved. For example, the report highlights Oklahoma’s RideCare program, which provides non-law enforcement transportation to emergency centers. The state has also distributed about 30,000 iPads equipped with crisis de-escalation tools to first responders and other stakeholders.
Georgia offers a Peer2Peer Warm Line, which provides 24-hour support from trained professionals for people experiencing hardships that don’t require emergency assistance.
Disclosure: Inseparable donates to funds for reporting on criminal justice, health issues, mental health and social justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, please click here.
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June is Men’s Mental Health Month, and advocates in Ohio and elsewhere are working to end the shame and judgement men who suffer from mental illness often face.
Research shows that the prevalence of mental health problems is increasing among children and adults, but men are less likely to seek treatment.
Javon Howard, manager of men’s engagement initiatives for the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Assault, said men need to understand that it’s OK to experience trauma and find ways to better connect with their emotions.
“Bringing awareness to this month and raising awareness of men’s mental health is important because we want to encourage men to reach out for help,” Howard explained. “We want to encourage men to be able to recognize when they need help and understand how to use the tools that are around them.”
Research shows that women are significantly more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood, while men are more likely to develop substance use disorders and antisocial behavior. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women, and both categories are on the rise.
Howard said men often believe that seeking mental health care will make them look weak, and that in a culture where men are often told to “get over it,” “be a man” and “stop being a wimp,” he said. He added that the fact that most of Ohio is rural rather than urban poses special challenges for men seeking help.
“Ohio is a rural state, so the reality is that it’s hard for people to get services,” Howard emphasized. “When you live in a community where everybody knows each other, it makes it harder to get an accurate picture of what’s going on for you.”
Howard added that Men’s Mental Health Month highlights the rise in the number of men suffering from stress, anxiety and depression across the country, and his organization wants to change attitudes about men seeking help to overcome their problems.
Disclosure: The Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Assault contributes to the fund for coverage of budget policy and priorities, domestic violence/sexual assault, health issues, and women’s issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, please click here.
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Nearly a year after the COVID public health emergency officially ended, Colorado has seen a significant drop in Medicaid enrollment and an increase in the number of uninsured people.
That presents a challenge for community mental health centers like Jefferson Mental Health, which has seen its Medicaid enrollment decline exceed previous projections and has remained below pre-pandemic levels since January.
Dr. Chiara Kuenzler, president and CEO of Jefferson Mental Health Center, said the center currently faces a severe funding shortfall of $6 million.
“The people we serve are under extreme stress and struggling to get their health care benefits restored. This is impacting not only their access to behavioral health care, but all of their health care needs,” she said.
The nonprofit KFF acknowledged in its 2023 Colorado Fact Sheet that the need for behavioral health is greater than ever, with more people than ever reporting mental health and substance use issues.
The urgent need for help for these clinics was underscored by Kara Johnson Hufford, CEO of the Colorado Behavioral Health Council, who noted a projected shortfall of $24 million to $29 million across these centers that could lead to reduced services, longer wait times and lower quality of care.
She added that many people who lost their Medicaid coverage and now have private insurance also seek care less frequently or forgo care altogether because of copayments and deductibles.
“More people than ever before are uninsured. Some people may no longer qualify for Medicaid but give up on it because they can’t afford private insurance or the mental burden of the enrollment process is too great,” she continued.
Johnson-Hafford predicted the program will be eliminated if reimbursement mechanisms can’t keep up with demand. Despite efforts to address the issue, such as helplines and complaints processes, underfunding remains a significant concern, she said.
Disclosure: The Colorado Behavioral Health Council contributes to a fund for reporting on health issues and mental health. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, please click here.
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