Understanding the Crisis 

The mental health landscape for college students is concerning. According to the 2022 Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors, nearly half of Missouri college students have experienced suicidal thoughts at some point, and 25% have had these thoughts within the past year. These statistics underline the immense stress that college students face. As a parent, staying attuned to your child’s mental health is essential. 

A Young Adult’s Perspective 

When college students face mental health challenges, they may not always turn to their parents. However, they often seek advice from someone close to their age who understands what they are going through. Britt Grindstaff, Youth and Young Adult Coordinator at the Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis, offers valuable insights. Having faced mental health struggles herself while attending St. Louis University, Britt knows firsthand how overwhelming college life can be. 

“I’ve witnessed a lot of parents who feel like their child struggling with their mental health came out of left field, and they weren’t prepared to interact and support them within this new context or situation,” Britt shares. She emphasizes that parents need to recognize the pressures of college life and provide practical support rather than dismissing their child’s feelings. 

Building Open Communication 

Wayne Johnson, the Team Lead for the ACT TAY program at Compass Health Network, highlights the importance of open communication between parents and their college-aged children. “The transitional age of 16-25 can be a very difficult time in figuring out identity, gaining independence, and struggling to fit in the world,” Wayne explains. “It is especially hard for those who are experiencing mental illness and the side effects that can bring.” 

Creating a safe, non-judgmental space for your child to express themselves is crucial. Listening to their concerns, validating their feelings, and offering consistent support can make a significant difference in their mental health journey. 

Practical Steps for Parents 

So, what can you do to help your child navigate tough times? Here are some practical steps: 

1. Be Non-Judgmental: When your child opens up about their struggles, avoid judgment. One of the most terrifying moments for many students is admitting to their parents that they are not coping well. How you respond can either encourage them to seek further help or push them deeper into isolation. 

2. Foster Honest Conversations: Sharing your own vulnerabilities can create a stronger bond and help your child feel less alone. Britt advises, “Ask your child how they want to be supported and respect their answer.” 

3. Admit When You’re Wrong: If you’ve made mistakes in handling your child’s mental health, acknowledge them. Britt points out that this humility can strengthen your relationship and show your child that you are committed to learning and growing alongside them. 

Where to Turn for Help 

Remember, there are resources available if your child needs immediate help. The 988 National Crisis Line offers 24/7 support, connecting individuals with trained crisis counselors who can provide guidance on mental health issues, including those related to financial stress. 

Final Thoughts 

Navigating college life is challenging for both students and their parents. By approaching your child’s mental health with empathy, open communication, and a willingness to learn, you can provide the support they need to thrive during this critical time. 

This blog post is part of the Happier U initiative, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and Show Me Hope Crisis Counseling Program. For more information, visit this link.

Sources:

• Missouri Department of Mental Health – For the information on mental health challenges among Missouri college students and advice from young adults. This includes statistics from the 2022 Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors (MACHB) survey. More detailed information can be found on the Missouri Partners in Prevention website: mopip.org.
• Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis – For insights and quotes from Britt Grindstaff, the Youth and Young Adult Coordinator at the Behavioral Health Network, who shared her lived experience with mental illness and advice for parents.
• Compass Health Network – For the information provided by Wayne Johnson, the Team Lead for the ACT TAY program, on supporting transitional age youth with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – For information on the 988 National Crisis Line and related resources for mental health support.
• Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) – As the blog post was produced in conjunction with the Show Me Hope Crisis Counseling Program, funded by FEMA, it’s crucial to acknowledge their contribution

The post Advice from Young Adults: Connect with Your College Student Who is Struggling with Mental Health  appeared first on Missouri 988.

Distributing Resources in School 

• Posters can be displayed in classrooms, hallways, and common areas to keep the 988 Lifeline visible to students. 

• Brochures can be handed out during health classes, counseling sessions, or even during special events focused on mental health awareness. 

• School Guides provide structured content that educators can use to introduce the 988 Lifeline to students, offering discussion points and activities that foster an understanding of mental health resources. 

Engaging with Parents and Guardians 

Parents and guardians play a crucial role in the mental well-being of students. The toolkit offers: 

• Brochures and Flyers that can be sent home with students or included in newsletters to inform parents about the 988 Lifeline and its significance. 

• Digital Resources like social media graphics and digital flyers, which schools can share via their websites, emails, or social media platforms, helping to reach a broader audience. 

Integrating the Toolkit into School Events 

School events like parent-teacher conferences, PTA meetings, or health fairs offer perfect opportunities to distribute these materials. By making mental health resources a part of these events, educators can ensure that both students and parents are aware of the 988 Lifeline and how it can help in times of crisis. 

Staff Training and Development 

The toolkit also provides resources that can be incorporated into professional development for school staff. Ensuring that all staff members are well-versed in the 988 Lifeline means they can guide students and parents more effectively. 

Conclusion 

By taking full advantage of the Missouri 988 Toolkit, educators can significantly contribute to the mental health and well-being of their students and the wider school community. The resources are designed to be easy to access and share, making it simple to start the conversation about mental health and ensure that everyone knows where to turn in a crisis. 

For more information and to access the toolkit, visit the Missouri 988 Toolkit page.  

The content and suggestions for utilizing the Missouri 988 Toolkit were directly inspired by the resources and materials provided on the official Missouri 988 website. To explore these resources and understand how to integrate them effectively into educational settings, you can visit the Missouri 988 Toolkit page.

The post Empowering Educators: How to Utilize the Missouri 988 Toolkit  appeared first on Missouri 988.

One key aspect is recognizing that traditional counseling methods may not always be effective for farmers. Many farmers express that advice on achieving “work-life balance” feels out of touch with the realities of their profession. Instead, counselors like Jessica Beauchamp from Off the Couch Counseling emphasize solution-oriented approaches that resonate with farmers, offering practical strategies that can be implemented in their daily routines. This personalized method can significantly reduce stress by providing actionable steps tailored to the agricultural lifestyle. 

Additionally, the ongoing efforts to expand mental health resources specifically for farmers have been crucial. Legislation like the Farmers First Act aims to reauthorize and increase funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, which provides targeted support services, including counseling tailored to agricultural stressors. This initiative, supported by bipartisan efforts in the U.S. Senate, is a testament to the growing recognition of the unique mental health challenges in the farming community. 

The series of discussions and reports from Brownfield Ag News underscores the need for continued support and the importance of community-driven solutions. By focusing on both everyday stressors, such as childcare and healthcare access, and extraordinary challenges like climate events, these efforts aim to build a more resilient agricultural industry (Brownfield Ag News)  (Brownfield Ag News). 

Sources:

1. Counselor says managing farm stress has changed – This article discusses the evolving nature of managing farm stress and how tailored, solution-oriented counseling approaches are more effective for farmers. Brownfield Ag News (Brownfield Ag News).
2. Additional support proposed for farm stress – This article covers legislative efforts like the Farmers First Act, aimed at reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to provide mental health support specifically for farmers. Brownfield Ag News (Brownfield Ag News).

The post Managing Mental Health appeared first on Missouri 988.

Since the transition to the 988 Lifeline two years ago, the service has received more than 8 million contacts. In May 2024 alone, 610,378 calls, texts and chat messages were routed to 988, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). That’s up from 413,425 in August 2022, its first full month in service — a 47% increase.

The 988 Lifeline is meeting overwhelming demand and helping people in crisis. People like Addison Eggebeen, who shared with me how calling 988 last year helped her — and how it can help others.

Addison called 988 when she was in crisis. She had arrived home after a stressful day and had no one to talk to. Her suicidal ideation flared, and she felt increasingly lost.

“I was like, ‘this is it.’ I didn’t know what to do,” she said.

But then she dialed 988, and the operator at a call center in Tennessee, where Addison lives, engaged her in a long conversation.

“It helped me calm down in that moment and recognize where I was at and be aware of my surroundings. I would say it saved my life because I didn’t know how far I would take my suicidal thoughts,” Addison said. “It sounds like I’m supposed to say it, but I don’t know if I would be here if it wasn’t for 988.”

That’s why she’s sharing her story.

“I would not hesitate at all to call or text 988,” she said. “There’s nothing to lose from reaching out.”

While the 988 Lifeline is a success story, the story is far from over. More work remains to improve crisis care and ensure that all people like Addison have access to crisis services when they need care. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a massive undertaking that requires coordination among federal, state and local authorities and organizations. We need to be patient as they continue their work to make 988 more efficient and more responsive as we meet the goal of providing:

• Someone to contact.
• Someone to respond.
• A safe place for help.

The evolution of 911 may provide a glimpse into the journey ahead.

Since a U.S. senator in Haleyville, Alabama, placed the first 911 call in February 1968, the emergency hotline has had an incalculable impact on public safety. But it took time for the service to become established as the de facto emergency service it is today. Making 988 even better will require:

• More states authorizing telecom companies to collect modest fees from customers to fund 988. While all states use surcharges on cell phone bills to fund 911 services, just 10 states have passed comprehensive laws to ensure 988 funding, according to a new report.
• Improving recruitment and retention at 988 call centers.
• Improving recruitment and retention at organizations that provide mental health and substance use treatment and care, crisis care, mobile crisis response, crisis stabilization and post-crisis care – the organizations that are the backbone of crisis care.
• Improving coordination. Call centers must have direct access to mobile crisis outreach teams, crisis walk-in facilities and direct connections to outpatient care options to strengthen the continuity of care. Crisis care is made up of much more than a call center. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is an entry point to a range of services that include mobile crisis, walk-in urgent care, secure crisis center, residential crisis services, hospitalization and intensive crisis outpatient services. They must all work together.
• Leveraging technology. Geo-routing would route wireless calls through the nearest cell tower and to the nearest call center. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has taken the first step toward adopting a rule that would require telecommunications companies to route 988 calls based on the caller’s physical location rather than the area code in their phone number. This would allow a 988 operator to connect a person in crisis with nearby resources.

We must also continue to increase awareness of the 988 Lifeline. SAMHSA has numerous 988 resources to help spread the word about the Lifeline, from training and technical assistance to key messages and graphics for social media. I urge you to share them and help to raise awareness about the valuable service that has already saved lives.

And please check out our June 26 webinar on geo-routing. We are working on other resources to support organizations that provide crisis care, and we’ll share those soon because we want to make sure you have all the support you need.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has made a profound difference in the lives of so many people in just two short years, and I know we can make it even better and help even more people. People just like Addison.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Source: 988 Saves Lives. Here’s One Person’s Story. (linkedin.com)

The post 988 Saves Lives. Here’s One Person’s Story. appeared first on Missouri 988.

Missouri Department of Mental Health Director Valerie Huhn told the State Board of Education that in the last three years, the U.S. Surgeon General has issued advisories about the mental health of children, instead of about drugs, tobacco, and exercise.

“This feels different. Mental health is just like a broken arm for kids,” said Huhn. “We would never let them walk around with a broken arm. We need to start making sure we are addressing the things that are impacting mental health and that we are talking about mental health. We literally talk about this as a generational issue and it may be a two generational issue, to be honest. I just don’t want to say that yet because we’re talking about it. I think that’s really, really, really important.”

Huhn said multiple studies show rates of depression and anxiety among children jumped by more than 50% between 2010 and 2019.

The advisories say nearly one-third of teenagers report using social media almost constantly, with that figure doubling since 2015. They also say that children who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

Huhn said children need more healthy social interactions that drive people to connect.

“Among people ages 15 to 24, time spent in person with friends has declined by nearly 70% over the past two decades, from roughly 150 minutes a day in 2003 to 40 minutes a day in 2020. So, we are not talking to each other face to face,” she said.

Board member Kim Bailey, a mental health specialist from Raymore, said there should be a training element for teachers to educate students about the importance of face-to-face interaction.

“We are seeing a significant increase in our higher-level mental illnesses. I do feel that if we can get more healthy social connection, we’ll see those numbers come down,” said Bailey.

Board member Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, of the St. Louis area, said she’s glad to hear discussions at the federal level about regulating social media use among children.

“I have not heard those same conversations at the state level,” she said. “And so, as you talk about solution sets and we talk about reining this in and preventing it, what role does policy play in helping parents regulate this? I mean, we know parents need to put kids in seatbelts, but it’s also a law that you have to wear a seatbelt.”

The state Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Mental Health plan to work together to address the mental health needs of children. Missouri Board of Education President Charlie Shields, of St. Joseph, said things must change if we want different results.

“We help with nutrition services, children experiencing homelessness. We have schools that have washing machines in them, said Shields. “We’ve had school nurses for 100 years. We don’t tell parents you take your kid to school; we send a bus by. All those services are designed to help parents. But somehow, we talk about mental health, behavioral health, values. That’s the third rail we can’t touch and we’ve got to get past that.”

Another conversation centered around the need for additional mental health professionals. Dr. Cla Stearns, with the Missouri Department of Mental Health, said not all of these jobs need to be people who are licensed, or have a master’s degree or doctorate.

“Missouri is 39th in the country on per capita mental health workers,” he said. “If you look at a map of the United States, and they show where there are areas where there’s considered to be an adequate mental health workforce, that’s about five states. And we’re 39. So, even with a massive push, we’re not going to get enough master’s level LPCs, LCSW, doctorate level folks in this to solve this issue. So, one of the things that we’re trying to do is some parent education because honestly, that’s probably your best avenue towards really improving the situation – is to give parents better skills and better information so that they can be kind of your frontline mental health workers.”

The U.S. Surgeon General recommendations for parents and caregivers include:

• Create tech-free zones and encourage children to foster in-person friendships.

• Model responsible social media behavior.

• Work with other parents to help establish shared norms and practices and to support programs and policies around healthy social media use.

U.S. Surgeon General recommendations for government include:

• Establish a dedicated leadership position to work across departments, convene stakeholders, and advance pro-connection policies.

• Study and support research on the causes of social disconnection.

• Develop age-appropriate health and safety standards for technology platforms. Standards may include designing technology that is appropriate and safe for a child’s developmental stage; protecting children and adolescents from accessing harmful content (e.g., content that encourages eating disorders, violence, substance use, sexual exploitation, and suicide or discusses suicide means).

• Develop tools that protect activities that are essential for healthy development like sleep; and regularly assessing and mitigating risks to children and adolescents.

• Support integration of screening and treatment into primary care. For example, continue expanding Pediatric Mental Health Care Access programs, which give primary care providers teleconsultations, training, technical assistance, and care coordination to support diagnosis, treatment, and referral for children with mental health and substance use needs.

• Provide resources and technical assistance to strengthen school-based mental health programs.

• Expand and support the mental health workforce. Example opportunities include investing in training and hiring individuals from a broader set of disciplines (e.g., peer supports, community health workers, family counselors, care coordinators) and accelerating training and loan repayment initiatives.

• In the school setting, governments should invest in building a pipeline of school counselors, nurses, social workers, and school psychologists.

• Expand and strengthen suicide prevention and mental health crisis services.

Source: Missouri Mental Health Director: “Mental health is just like a broken arm” – Missourinet

The post MISSOURI MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR: “MENTAL HEALTH IS JUST LIKE A BROKEN ARM” appeared first on Missouri 988.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A bold move to save lives.

Signs with the number 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline have been posted at Busiek State Forest in Christian County.

Francis Skalicky with the Missouri Department of Conservation said, “There was a suicide here last year. One is too many.”

Officials say there have been some suicides that have happened over the past few decades in the forest.

“Before they do what they came here for hopefully, these signs will give them a thought to reconsider,” said Skalicky.

There are three signs posted around the park. They are designed to get people the help they need when they need it.

“I think it could potentially save a lot of lives. Usually, when you’ve made that decision, you think, okay I can’t take this anymore. I’m going to make a permanent decision for what could possibly be just a temporary issue,” said Stephanie Appleby with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

She says people in crisis often isolate themselves.

“I know, just from statistics, and just my family alone. Five members of my family have completed suicide. They’ve all gone out and done it outside or in a rural area,” explained Appleby.

She says having the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline posted at Busiek State Park gives those in need the resources they need.

“I think having those signs in those areas are so important because it gives someone just a nugget of hope to think okay, there’s my sign. I think a lot of us who are dealing with mental health conditions are looking for a sign,” said Appleby.

Skalicky said, “We want our areas to be known for all the good things but if people come here for a despairing reason well there’s help for them too. There’s is help. There is hope. That’s what these signs are there for.”

Source: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline signs posted at Busiek State Forest in Christian County (ky3.com)

The post 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline signs posted at Busiek State Forest in Christian County appeared first on Missouri 988.

Construction has the 2nd highest rate of suicides among all occupations. It is a high-stress job that has high rates of alcohol and drug use.

Brandon Anderson is the Vice President of Safety for the Missouri chapter of Associated General Contractors of America (AGCMO). He talked with Show Me Today about the steps the industry is taking to address mental health concerns.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis, or if you just need support for emotional distress, call or text 988 or chat online.

Source: Construction industry vows to tackle mental health issues head on (LISTEN) – Missourinet

The post CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY VOWS TO TACKLE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES HEAD ON (LISTEN) appeared first on Missouri 988.

Davidson and his colleagues started by training practitioners in the basic essentials of psychiatric rehabilitation and developing relationships with community partners who would employ some of the program’s clients. “The program quickly grew.” The aim was to infuse the clubhouse with hope and provide support and connection to resources.

He notes that Fellowship Place had many older members who had been there for years; however, it wasn’t tailored to address the needs of young people. This was around the same time the field of psychiatry had started developing early or first-episode psychosis intervention. In 2019, Dr. Lisa Dixon shared with #CrisisTalk that the longer the duration of untreated psychosis, the poorer short and long-term outcomes. Davidson says both psychiatric rehabilitation and first-episode psychosis intervention were part of a shift in thinking regarding the quality of life a person with serious mental illness could expect to have. “Before that, people were basically told to give up all hope of ever having a life,” he says. 

Psych Rehab is part of the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health, a program Davidson and colleagues started in 2000. “It’s primarily a research and policy program.” The program is part of the Connecticut Mental Health Center and focuses on rehabilitation and community living and works in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “We try to shift the priorities and the practices of staff within the larger behavioral health system and away from a chronic maintenance model of, ‘You’re never going to have a life again, so don’t bother us.’” Instead, the program focuses on areas of remaining function as a launching platform to further develop and help people live healthy and fulfilling lives. 

Community provider agencies performed the actual rehabilitation work. However, Psych Rehab did the research, training and tried out new interventions through randomized trials, establishing evidence-based practices. “We ended up expanding statewide.”

What Davidson found most troubling was the continued narrative that people diagnosed with a serious mental illness needed to “resign themselves to impoverished, lonely, empty lives.” “That was the message said to everyone across the board, no matter if they were young or old — that was very distressing.” However, he also realized people couldn’t just be removed from the hospital setting and into the community without transitional support.

In a study conducted by Psych Rehab, researchers interviewed people in the aftermath of a state hospital downsize. Long-term patients who had lived in the hospital for a decade had been relocated back into the New Haven community. In terms of quality of life, Davidson was surprised to discover little difference between the two, except people felt lonelier than they had in the state hospital. “They were sitting in their apartments alone, feeling isolated and despairing, with empty time on their hands.” The assumption had been that once back in New Haven, they’d become part of the community, but that hadn’t happened on its own. “We quickly discovered more needed to be done.”

Loneliness continues to be an ongoing challenge in the Covid pandemic aftermath. While it’s unsurprising that people felt lonely during physical distancing requirements, many, especially those facing mental health challenges, have continued to feel so even as they’ve toggled back to day-to-day in-person living. For instance, the percentage of youth who contacted YouthLine — a peer-to-peer support helpline at Lines for Life in Oregon — because of loneliness increased slightly between March 2020 and June 2022. The percentage of youth outreaching the line over mental health concerns more than doubled in that time frame, from 17 percent to 35 percent. Davidson says people who experienced inpatient hospitalization have expressed loneliness and not feeling welcome or included in the community once they left the hospital. Peer connection, informal and formal, can help people feel less lonely in the pandemic aftermath. “It’s a core rehabilitation strategy.” 

As people began reentering in-person living and new normalcy, there wasn’t a guidebook, and for many, it was a bumpy transition marked by repeated closures and uncertainty. In January 2021, Dr. Robert Roca shared that even more devastating than the continued pandemic and isolation for older people would be if the virus waned and then there was another peak. “That’s going to be a real test of resilience for us all if we find ourselves more intensely locked down and having to adapt our lives yet again.” He said the continued uncertainty and adjustment would wear on people’s patience and fray their defense mechanisms. “When people’s confidence in the future wavers is when the most dire psychiatric events happen,” he said.

Davidson says he hasn’t seen a sense of community fully rebound in New Haven, a shift similar to hospital closures that can’t be expected to happen without deliberate efforts to facilitate connectivity. People who lacked sufficient support before the pandemic, or who had support fall away during it, especially need transitional assistance. “If they were estranged from families and friends before Covid, that’s going to make it all the harder for them to have any kind of support now,” he says. “They were already at a disadvantage and are disparately affected.” Davidson believes communities can learn from the peer movement to help support people reintegrate to post-pandemic living. 

When Davidson helped develop peer support programs in New Haven, the concept was to provide social contact in a relationship where one person was doing a bit better than the other. “That would help the person struggling and create credibility because the peer had been there themselves.” They’d go to baseball games, go hiking and sip iced coffee or tea on a hot summer day. “One interviewee described spending time with their peer support person as long conversations and bottomless iced tea.”

At that point, peer support was primarily informal. Davidson and his peers worked to develop evidence-based, peer-led peer support specialist training. “We learned a lot along the way.” 

He highlights that many environments — whether schools,  churches, and other community organizations — have established frameworks to develop and further expand peer support and connectivity. “Most of us get our peer support on a daily basis from the people in our lives but we don’t think of it as peer support.” 

What he’s found is that peer support services foster joy in daily living, helping people regain or restore everyday activities that may seem trivial but give life meaning and purpose. “It’s also motivational — people find gainful employment, further their education and begin reclaiming their life in all the ways people might do so.” 

Source: Combating Loneliness With Peer Connection – #CrisisTalk (crisisnow.com)

The post Combating Loneliness With Peer Connection appeared first on Missouri 988.

In October, Missouri 988 received 5,311 phone calls, 94% of which were answered locally with the average wait time being about 14 seconds. The crisis line also responded in very quick fashion to the influx of text and chat messages received as well.

“We’re trying to figure out how, we’re doing a great job messaging 988, we’re getting some of the most calls in the country because of our efforts, but how do I reach the person who doesn’t necessarily think this service is for them? That’s really what I want to focus on next,” she said.

Despite the quick response times, Huhn said it’s not enough.

“I am troubled everyday when I hear about a suicide that’s occurred in our state,” said Huhn. “I’ve had, I think we had three young women, just in the last month, die by suicide. Young women don’t die by suicide. What is going on, here?”

She still hears and reads reports of suicide happening in Missouri.

“How do I find the person who has had that traumatic event, who just needs, maybe six months or a year of support, but doesn’t think the service is for them because this is exactly who this service is for,” she said. “So, I will continue to push on 988. Suicide will continue to be something that we talk about a lot at the department.”

You can call or text 988 or chat virtually by going to 988lifeline.org.

Source: Missouri emerges as leader in 988 crisis hotline response times  – Missourinet

The post MISSOURI EMERGES AS LEADER IN 988 CRISIS HOTLINE RESPONSE TIMES  appeared first on Missouri 988.

While the crisis line has offered text and call services via the 988 phone number for more than a year now, the organization recently announced the launch of a new video phone service that will offer crisis counseling in American Sign Language.

As of right now, the service can be accessed by calling 1-800-273-8255 on a phone with video capabilities, or by pressing the ASL NOW button on 988lifeline.org. The 988 Lifeline is working to make videophone services reachable via the 988 phone number in the coming weeks.

Columbia-based DeafLEAD, an organization that currently offers crisis services for Deaf and hard of hearing people, will be one of two nationwide providers of this service.

Sol Romero, the videophone crisis line operations manager for DeafLEAD, attended and spoke at the event with other members of the DeafLEAD team.

He highlighted the importance of having a crisis line where Deaf and hard of hearing people can communicate in the language of their choice without the need for an interpreter – especially in a world where accessibility is limited.

“It’s going to make a profound impact in our community,” Romero said. “It’s history happening, in the making for Deaf individuals and their mental health.”

Romero became deaf at 23 years old and speaks ASL. He emphasized ASL is not English – it is its own separate language many Deaf and hard of hearing people speak as their primary or native language. Because of this, he said it’s important for people to have access to culturally competent care from someone who speaks their language – especially in times of crisis.

“Deaf people do die by suicide, as well, and Deaf people are in crisis, as well. We’re all humans. We raise children, we have families, the only difference between you and myself is I’m Deaf. That’s the only difference,” Romero said.

A full ASL interview with DeafLEAD’s Sol Romero – captions and English interpretation provided.

The 988 videophone service is unique because it directly connects users who speak ASL with a crisis counselor who also speaks ASL, which is different from other services that require an interpreter for the caller and crisis counselor to communicate. Many advocates and partners at the event, including Tia Dole, stressed the significance of this as a step toward full accessibility.

Dole is the Chief 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Officer with Vibrant Emotional Health, a non-profit that administers the 988 lifeline. She said the videophone is just one part of 988’s goal to make its services accessible to all people who may need them.

“We want everybody who lives in this country, regardless of immigration status, regardless of who they are, where they live, to feel comfortable using 988 and to be able to speak in their language,” Dole said.

In addition to a host of advocates and partners, the launch event was filled with people who came out to celebrate the new service and open up the conversation about mental health. There were also activities and events like chalk art, mural painting, live performances and a wellness walk.

Stationed across from the stage, local artist Adrienne Luther Johnson painted a colorful mural inspired by wellness and 988. As a millennial, she said she’s seen a rise in mental health awareness throughout her life and hopes to continue that conversation through her artwork.

“To be a part of it now where I have gone through all these lessons of depression and anxiety and my relationship with my mental health and self care – it’s just really nice to be able to have that present in my work, be able to have open and honest and vulnerable conversations with people,” Luther Johnson said.

John Ginwright, the deputy division director of the Missouri Department of Social Services, also attended the event. He spoke about the importance of making services like 988 Lifeline available to the younger generation, as well as the need for continued mental health education.

“There is a mental health crisis that our youth are experiencing, and a lot of times the older generation can’t relate to that because they did it a different way when they were growing up,” Ginwright said.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people.”

LaShawna Samuel also works with Missouri’s Department of Social Services. Near the plywood board where event attendees wrote messages of hope, Samuel said it’s crucial for people to know 988 Lifeline services are there for everyone to turn to in times of crisis.

“Don’t wait until there’s a crisis or you feel like you want to harm yourself,” Samuel said. “Even if you’re having a bad day and you want someone to talk to who’s maybe someone that hasn’t heard you a million times already. Go ahead and pick up the phone and call, text, video chat.”

The post New ASL resources through 988 will offer more suicide prevention support to Deaf and hard of hearing people appeared first on Missouri 988.