Suicide Prevention

More than 75 organizations, including the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH), are supporting Sound the Alarm for Kids, a campaign from the Children’s Hospital Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists that urges Congress to enact legislation and increase funding to address children’s mental health.

The Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission has released a new Suicide Incidence and Rate Dashboard, an addition to the Transparency Suite.

On June 9, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced $22 million in awards to 56 recipients as part of the Behavioral Health Workforce and Education Training Program for Professionals. California organizations will receive $5,561,042 in funding. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released a new guide called Helping Your Loved One Who is Suicidal: A Guide for Family and Friends.   This guide is designed to help families who have a loved one who is suicidal or has made a suicide attempt. It provides information on understanding suicide, warning signs and action steps to […]

Due to events this past year, many adults and children have experienced some level of collective trauma as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who need behavioral health care, CalHOPE, a multi-media campaign launched in June 2020, connects people impacted by COVID-19 to free outreach, crisis counseling, and support services.  

Many Americans are indicating increased mental health concerns resulting from  economic hardship and social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Jan. 19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the Surgeon General — in collaboration with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention — released The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, a report that outlines the steps for reducing suicide rates and helping improve resilience. Its goal is to broaden perceptions of suicide, who is affected, and the many factors that can affect suicide risk.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued draft revised guidance to clarify its ligature risk policies for psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric hospital units.