To the Editor:
MOUNT VERNON – May is Mental Health Month. By urging my public officials to prioritize suicide prevention, mental health and crisis care, I am hoping to influence collective change to support #MentalHealth4All.
Right now, individuals in crisis are able to call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress and those who care for them. Soon it will be much easier to remember how to reach the Lifeline as the number will be changing to "988" nationwide by July 2022.
Knowing this, it is critically important that states pass legislation NOW to reliably fund 988 and their state's crisis response system, just as we fund 911 and emergency services: through small fees on our phone bills. Reliable funding will help to ensure all 988 callers can reach a counselor in their own state who is familiar with and can connect them with local resources. Culturally competent support and local connections can better help all callers through their crisis and in their recovery.
Our local law enforcement agencies, both in Knox and Licking counties, are kept busy in response to 911 crisis calls for suicidal attempts or threats. Ninety-nine percent of these calls are related to a mental health crisis. While in most cases a crisis-intervention-trained officer is able to de-escalate the situation, the caller is advised to seek treatment before leaving the scene. There is no follow up. Some situations result in transporting the patient to the ER, a mental health treatment facility, or often to jail. Many of these calls are repeats month after month, which may indicate people are not receiving treatment and/or do not know where to go for help. A call to a 988 counselor who can connect people to the resources and follow-up care they need will relieve this problem.
As the director of NAMI Knox Licking County Ohio, I am inviting you to join me this month in urging our public officials to fund 988. We all play a role in changing the culture around mental health. Together, we can ensure #MentalHealth4All.
Sincerely,
Dodie Melvin
Mount Vernon
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