Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
More Resources May Be Needed For National Mental Health Line To Work
Fox News: States Need More Resources To Meet Expected Demand For Crisis Hotline Reboot: Report
Instead of dialing 911, soon you can call 988 for a mental health emergency. But will states be ready? The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will be nationally available as 988 starting July 16, 2022, billed as the "911" for a mental health crisis. But there’s concern many states will not be ready to meet the expected increase in services, according to a recent New York Times report. "The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is awarding nearly $105 million in grant funding, provided by the American Rescue Plan, to 54 states and territories in advance of the transition of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from the current 10-digit number to the 988 three-digit dialing code in July," per the United States Department of Health and Human Services press release. (Sudhakar, 5/9)
Iowa Public Radio: Iowa Groups Come Together To Organize A Statewide Mental Health Awareness Event
A coalition of groups is planning a statewide event Tuesday to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. The organizers hope this hybrid event will push Iowa to be more cognizant of mental health. Disability Rights Iowa and 24 other co-sponsors organized the event to celebrate May as Mental Health Awareness Month—a 73 year tradition on the national level. It’s the first time the event will be available to Iowans statewide both in-person and at six satellite locations, as well as a completely virtual option. (Arena, 5/9)
Indianapolis Star: ACLU: Indiana Broke Federal Law By Delaying Inmate Mental Health Help
Indiana's disability rights watchdog is suing the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration over allegations the agency violated federal law by failing to provide mental health services to incarcerated people deemed unfit for trial. The Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission — a state entity created to enforce federal disability laws — recruited the ACLU of Indiana to file its lawsuit Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. (Magdaleno, 5/9)
Axios: The State Of The Teen Mental Health Crisis — And How To Help
Never have so many kids reported being so sad and stressed. The American Academy of Pediatrics declared the mental health crisis among children and teens a national emergency... More than 40% of teens said they persistently felt sad or hopeless during 2021, a CDC survey found. The same survey found increased use of alcohol and drugs during the shutdown. 55% reported emotional abuse from a parent or other adult in the home. Over 10% reported physical abuse. (Pandey, 5/9)
AP: Kurt Cobain Guitar On Block By Colts For Mental Health Cause
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay spent years putting together his expansive guitar collection. On Monday, he announced one of his prized possessions — the Fender Mustang electric guitar used by the late Kurt Cobain — will be auctioned off to help support the team’s Kicking The Stigma mental health awareness campaign. Bidding will take place May 20-22 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City’s Times Square and a portion of the proceeds will go to Irsay’s initiative. (5/9)
