NABH Supports Sound the Alarm for Kids Campaign
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.
House Advances CHA-Supported Bill to Support Front-Line Health Care Workers
On Nov. 4, the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee passed by voice vote a modified version of the CHA-supported Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667). The version that passed aligns with the bill (S. 610) that the Senate passed in August. The bipartisan legislation is named for a doctor who led the emergency […]
Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission Releases New Dashboard
The Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission has released a new Suicide Incidence and Rate Dashboard, an addition to the Transparency Suite.
HRSA Awards to Help Bolster California’s Behavioral Health Workforce in Underserved Communities
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.
Guide Offers Help for a Loved One Who Is Suicidal
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 […]
CalHOPE Offers Free Behavioral Health Help
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.
Surgeon General Releases Call to Action on National Suicide Prevention Strategy
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.
State Adopts Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention
The California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission has released a statewide Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention for 2020-25. The plan combines a public health approach with behavioral health interventions, framed by four key strategies: establish a suicide prevention infrastructure, minimize risk for suicidal behavior, enhance early identification of suicide risk and increase access to services based on risk, and improve suicide-related services and supports.
CMS Issues Draft Guidance on Ligature 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.
Emergency Department Toolkit
Special resource toolkit developed by CHA’s EMS/Trauma Committee and the Center for Behavioral Health. Designed to help staff provide support to patients in the ED with psychosis and/or substance abuse disorders, this toolkit provides access to articles, policies, management techniques, assessment tools and more. Click the topic tabs below to access resources and information.