21 veterans kill themselves each and every day. 48000 souls across the USA. Moreover, these numbers have escalated during the pandemic.
And, starting tomorrow (the 16th of July)- after two years (of fraught preparation)- there will be a national number to report mental health crises. The program got its funding from the American Rescue Plan ($ 282 million, of which $ 105 million was allocated to staffing issues). And, like the PPACA/Obamacare health care subsidies, long term funding for the program was not truly included. I am guessing that there be a new phone charge (like we have had imposed for 911 services) to cover these future costs.
It’s not clear if this program will be linked with red flag rules that are part of the new (attenuated) gun control regulation that was just signed into law. One can only hope.
But, at the very least, the rollout of the national mental health crisis number 988 begins tomorrow, the 16th of July. (No longer should we dial 911 when we are reporting a mental crisis- and that totals a significant 20% of all 911 calls.) This should make it easier for folks to get the help they need- and fast- eventually.
Except…
Many states have been dragging their feet. A Rand Corporation study (Authored by Cantor, Holliday, McBain, Matthews, Bialas, Eberhart, and Breslau) found that of the 180 centers (that’s the national census of specialized mental health centers across the USA) surveyed about ½ have neglected their duties to ensure that 988 is operational. That despite the fact that call volume is expected to soar (from 3 million a year who called the 11 digit National Suicide Prevention Hotline to about 12 million) with the introduction of the national system. (The system will direct the call to the closest facility to the calling number.)
The biggest impediment to smooth operation are the number of open positions- crisis counselors and mobile response units. (You know, for what we’ve been clamoring for the past two years- sending mental health professionals and paramedics instead of police when a mental crisis exists.) The problem, as far as I can see it, is that I don’t see a bunch of crisis counselors signing up to deal with these folks in crisis (not just a little off, but in crisis mode) for a pay rate of about $ 17.50 an hour. And, currently about ¼ of the counselors themselves suffer from PTSD due to their dealings with the constant crisis demands from callees.
Now, we should all remember that the national 911 rollout had its own problems. So, we can only hope with time that 988 calls will be as professionally handled as the 911 calls have come to be.
And, that the elapsed time frame is short.
Such an important topic.
It’s great to hear that suicide prevention is given some resources.
However I feel like this is a bit of a bandaid approach. Shouldn’t people with mental health challenges be “caught” and helped earlier in the game?
We have no real means to discern who is at risk. It’s not like we have a diagnostic test that is definitive. We need the individuals- or the folks near to them- to let us know when an intervention or a discussion can help.
I think that it is vital to have a place to report worrisome people that may turn out to be mass murderers or violent, etc. I just hope, speaking as a women, that there are stop-gaps in place to prevent it from being abused. Flashback to the times when a woman was basically property, and if her husband was displeased, he’d call the insanity asylum and have her taken away. Other than that, I pray this prevents more heartache and is helpful!!! Amen.
So, that’s a separate issue. From what I have seen (and I do NOT claim to be an expert), one of the major issues is that the batterred spouse is often reticent about pressing charges- which means the conditions can continue.
Said facts to hear. Hopefully the new program helps.
One can only hope that the 180 centers will be ready to tackle the issues.