Posted on March 18, 2022
CNET
As a parent talking about emotional or mental well-being isn't always easy. The key is to ensure children feel comfortable expressing their feelings and getting help when they need it. "It's important to know that showing that you're concerned about their behaviors will not make things worse; it'll help acknowledge what they've been thinking and feeling, making you both more connected. Your role isn't to diagnose your child; keep your message simple: You've noticed behaviors that you are concerned about. You want to support them," says Jennifer Rothman, Senior Manager of Youth and Young Adult Initiatives at NAMI.
READ MOREPosted on March 18, 2022
MindSiteNews.org
The 988 Implementation Act builds on the 2020 legislation that designated 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. That bill authorized states to add surcharges to the monthly telephone bills of consumers to help fund the line but provided no other funding to states to run it. So far, according to NAMI, only four states (CO, NV, VA, WA) have done so. “It’s going to take federal investment as well as state and local leadership to make a 988 crisis continuum available to everyone,” said Hannah Wesolowski, NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer. “While Congress gave states this mechanism for a new funding stream, it is discouraging to see so few states leverage the opportunity.”
READ MOREPosted on March 17, 2022
USA Today
Legislation in more than two dozen states has passed or is pending to fund 988 services or study funding, according to NAMI. "Currently, as a country, we're not ready for this rollout," said Hannah Wesolowski, NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer. "There's so much demand out there and so many elements to knit together to really prepare to fully provide a mental health response to a mental health crisis."
READ MOREPosted on March 17, 2022
ABCNews.com
Legislators introduced the 988 Implementation Act, a bill to help fund the 988 rollout and implementation. Hannah Wesolowski, NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer, said about 80% of calls to the Lifeline can be de-escalated over the phone. Of the 20% that can't, she said, about 70% can be resolved with the help of mobile crisis response teams. The rest can go to crisis stabilization centers, after which a majority can be discharged back into the community without being hospitalized. "Mobile crisis teams, which provide an alternative to law enforcement, are so critical. Relying on law enforcement is just an ineffective way to respond to [mental health] crises. That's not the job law enforcement signed up for, nor should we be asking them to do that," Wesolowski said.
READ MOREPosted on March 15, 2022
Medscape News
The 2021 Mental State of the World report shows a decline in mental health worldwide, with young adults reporting the poorest outcomes. The report included 34 countries with over 220,000 internet-enabled adults. Ken Duckworth, MD, NAMI Chief Medical Officer, called the survey "extremely well timed and creative, although it only looked at internet-enabled populations, so one cannot make too many overall pronouncements, because a lot of people don't have access to the internet." The data regarding young people are particularly powerful. "The idea that young people are having a decrease in their experience of mental health across the world is something I haven't seen before." Duckworth suggested the reason might "have to do with the impact of the COVID lockdown on normal development that young people go through, while older people don't struggle with these developmental challenges in the same way."
READ MOREPosted on March 13, 2022
The New York Times
There are growing concerns that the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention hotline, already straining to meet demand, will not be able to deliver on the promises of the overhaul for the launch of 988, unless states supplement the federal money with significant funds for staffing. Within a few years of the introduction of 988, it is likely to attract tens of millions of people seeking help, estimates show. Those projections are driving mental health advocates as they prod state lawmakers to approve funding. “Our concern is very much about whether there will be someone to answer that call when someone is in crisis,” said Hannah Wesolowski, NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer.
READ MOREPosted on March 10, 2022
Parents.com
The pandemic has affected millions, including teens and young adults. Children from age 8 to 18 have felt and continue to feel the effects of COVID-19. Young people are facing a mental health crisis, one which will have "devastating" effects. While discussing and prioritizing mental health is important, many teens do not want to talk about their thoughts or feelings. "Because there is often stigma attached to mental health conditions, children can feel ashamed to talk about their worries, obsessions, compulsions, impulsivity, and other behavioral problems," states an article by NAMI. "Talk with them about what they are experiencing. Listen with curiosity and empathize with them." And avoid statements which are full of shame and blame.
READ MOREPosted on March 6, 2022
Washington Post
It has been difficult to find mental health counseling in much of the U.S. for years, long before the pandemic. It is even more difficult to find specialized care for children or those with lower income. At Boston Medical Center, a safety net hospital, staff recently began contacting parents on the 170-person wait list from April 2021 — a 10-month to receive services, said Dr. Christine Crawford, NAMI Associate Medical Director and child psychiatrist at the center. Crawford said the return to school has allowed teachers and others to assess the needs of children who have been seen only by their parents in recent months. The result has been a large surge in referrals to a mental health workforce that has not expanded. “Other adults and teachers are able to lay eyes on these kids,” she said, and they are “bringing up concerns about behavioral issues and emotional issues.” According to AACAP, there are just 8,300 practicing child psychiatrists in the U.S. for the more than 15 million young people in need of help. Pediatricians are doing initial assessments, Crawford said, with only the most severe cases reaching her.
READ MOREPosted on March 3, 2022
Associated Press
President Biden’s new plan to expand mental health and substance use treatment would pour hundreds of millions of dollars into suicide prevention, mental health services for youth, and community clinics providing 24/7 access to people in crisis. It was unveiled as part of his State of the Union speech. Health insurance plans would have to cover three mental health visits a year at no added cost to patients. “And let’s get all Americans the mental health services they need,” Biden said in his speech. “More people can turn for help. And full parity between physical and mental health care if we treat it that way in our insurance.” That’s been the unrealized goal of federal health care laws dating back nearly 25 years, said Hannah Wesolowski, NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer. “This represents an important agenda that impacts every American,” said Wesolowski, referring to Biden’s plan.
READ MOREPosted on February 24, 2022
U.S. News & World Report
There are support groups for family members or friends of loved ones living with a mental health condition. The National Alliance on Mental Illness and other regional groups offer support groups for families and friends. “We use a loose definition of ‘family,’” says Teri Brister, chief program officer at NAMI. “If you’re the source of support for an individual with mental illness and want to learn more than about their condition, then there are specific support groups for those individuals as well.” Look for a support group connected to an established organization that provides training to support group leaders. The National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America both offer trainings for leaders. Your doctor may also have recommendations for support groups connected to a local hospital, clinic or community center. According to Brister, “What works best are when leaders of the support group are trained and follow a structured, traditionally consistent process.”
READ MORENAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
