Suicide Prevention / en Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:38:52 -0500 Thu, 24 Jul 25 13:24:54 -0500 Exploring the benefits of pediatric mental health urgent care centers /role-hospitals-golisano-childrens-hospital-exploring-benefits-pediatric-mental-health-urgent-care-centers <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-07/ths-brighter-days-pediatric-mental-health-700x532.jpg" alt="Telling the Hospital Story: Golisano Children’s Hospital - Exploring the benefits of pediatric mental health urgent care centers. Image: Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Center exterior" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p><a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/behavioral-health-wellness/pediatric-mental-health-urgent-care">The Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Center</a>, part of Golisano Children’s Hospital in Western New York, opened in June 2024 to provide walk-in mental health services for individuals under 18. The center is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of 30 professionals and can treat up to 3,000 patients annually. Brighter Days is the only facility of its kind outside the New York City area and fills a critical gap in pediatric mental health care, offering immediate support without the need for appointments. Its opening reflects a broader national trend, with over 20 similar centers opening across the U.S. in the past year to address the growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents.</p><p>These urgent care centers are reshaping mental health treatment by offering rapid access to care, easing pressure on emergency departments, and connecting patients to long-term support. They are especially vital as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and substance-use disorders remain prevalent, with anxiety alone accounting for over 18% of top diagnoses in 2023.</p><p>The pandemic exacerbated mental health challenges, leading to a sustained increase in emergency visits for issues like self-harm and suicide among youth. Mental health urgent care centers help bridge the gap between emergency and long-term care, offering timely assessments, short-term treatment, and referrals.</p> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://sponsors.aha.org/index.php/email/emailWebview">LEARN MORE</a> </p> --><p> </p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/center/population-health">Improving Health and Wellness</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:24:54 -0500 Suicide Prevention Analysis shows continued growth of 988 lifeline in third year /news/headline/2025-07-18-analysis-shows-continued-growth-988-lifeline-third-year <p>An <a href="https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/demand-for-988-continues-to-grow-at-third-anniversary/" target="_blank">analysis</a> published July 14 by KFF found that use of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has steadily increased since its launch in July 2022. To date, the service has received 16.5 million contacts, including 11.1 million calls, 2.9 million text messages and 2.4 million chat messages. Contact volume has consistently surpassed 500,000 contacts per month during the past year and has approached or exceeded 600,000 per month since early 2025.</p> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:24:49 -0500 Suicide Prevention CDC report finds 61% of violent deaths were by suicide, 30% by homicide in 2022 /news/headline/2025-06-11-cdc-report-finds-61-violent-deaths-were-suicide-30-homicide-2022 <p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday released its National Violent Death Reporting System <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7405a1.htm" title="violence stats">report</a> on violent deaths in 2022, finding that approximately 61% (44,917) of people died by suicide and about 30% (22,395) died by homicide. About 7% (5,292) died by an undetermined intent, 1% (1,014) by legal intervention, and less than 1% (530) by an unintentional firearm injury. About 57% of all violent deaths involved a firearm.</p><p>  </p><p>The suicide rate was higher for males than for females, at 23.7 versus 6.1 per 100,000 population, respectively. Adults older than 85 had the highest suicide rate at 22.4 per 100,000 population. The report found that the homicide rate was also higher for males than for females, at 12 versus 2.9 per 100,000 population, respectively. In terms of age groups, the homicide rate was highest for people aged 20–24 years old. </p> Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:12:42 -0500 Suicide Prevention AHA video: A Nurse Leader's Journey — Embracing Kindness Amid Mental Health Struggles /news/headline/2025-05-07-aha-video-nurse-leaders-journey-embracing-kindness-amid-mental-health-struggles <p>Nurse leader and suicide survivor Bob Dent, DNP, R.N., shares his personal struggle with mental health that has continued even while managing a successful career. Dent explains why health care leaders need to create safe spaces for patients, families and colleagues to talk about mental health. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiPFYIW83GU"><strong>WATCH NOW</strong></a> </p> Wed, 07 May 2025 15:55:35 -0500 Suicide Prevention Intermountain Health partners with Ad Council to address firearm injuries among youth /role-hospitals-intermountain-health-partners-ad-council-address-firearm-injuries-among-youth <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/ths-agree-to-agree-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Intermountain Health partners with Ad Council to address firearm injuries among youth. Agree to Agree poster shows two men talking" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>For the past three years, firearm injuries have been the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 17 in the United States. In response, the Ad Council, in partnership with Intermountain Health and a coalition of health care and business leaders, launched the social impact program "<a href="https://agreetoagree.org/" target="_blank">Agree to Agree</a>," an initiative to reduce gun-related tragedies affecting children and teens. The program focuses on the full spectrum of firearm injuries, including suicides, intentional and unintentional shootings.</p><p>“Over the past year, Intermountain caregivers have done extensive work in the areas of suicide prevention and gun safety,” said Rob Allen, president and chief executive officer of Intermountain Health. “By raising awareness and offering training and resources, we help to both save lives and remove the stigma around conversations on gun safety and mental health.”</p><p>Intermountain Health has been actively working to protect communities by distributing nearly 67,000 free firearm locks and increasing access to mental health resources. The "Agree to Agree" campaign focuses on the idea that gun owners and non-gun owners can agree that firearms should not be the leading cause of death for children and teens. The campaign includes public safety announcements for parents and health care professionals, directing them to resources on how to prevent firearm injuries and have supportive conversations about gun safety and mental health.</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://news.intermountainhealth.org/intermountain-health-joins-initiative-to-curb-impact-of-firearm-injuries-and-deaths-on-americas-youth/">LEARN MORE</a></p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/community-benefit">Benefiting Communities</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:43:46 -0500 Suicide Prevention New behavioral health center offers walk-in mental health services at Lancaster General Hospital /role-hospitals-new-behavioral-health-center-offers-walk-mental-health-services-lancaster-general-hospital <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-03/ths-penn-lancaster-behavioral-health-center-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Penn Lancaster. A female counselor holding a clibpoard and pen sits listening to a male patient" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>People in need of immediate help with mental health issues have a new option for treatment with the opening of the <a href="https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/services-and-treatments/behavioral-health" target="_blank">Behavioral Health Center</a> at Lancaster General Hospital. Its Crisis Walk-In Center provides immediate behavioral health assessments and treatment, serving as a bridge to ongoing care.</p><p>The Interventional Psychiatry Program focuses on psychiatric conditions that don't respond well to first-line treatments. The center is expected to serve 900 patients annually for interventional psychiatry and 10,000 patients through the walk-in center, both in-person and by phone.</p><p>Patients visiting the walk-in center are greeted by a certified peer support specialist and connected with a registered nurse for a physical health assessment. If needed, they receive immediate counseling and are referred to the next level of service or scheduled for another appointment.</p><p>The center provides appointments and medication for up to 30 days before referring patients to longer-term services, aiming to reduce the boarding of low-risk behavioral health patients in the emergency department.</p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/community-benefit">Benefiting Communities</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:04:32 -0500 Suicide Prevention Shodair Children’s Hospital launches Hope Campaign /role-hospitals-shodair-childrens-hospital-launches-hope-campaign <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-02/ths-shodair-hope-700x532.jpg" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Shodair Children's Hope Campaign ad features a young girl smiling in a field of tall grass" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, Mont., has launched the Hope Campaign to reduce stigma and encourage conversations about youth mental health. Montana has the highest suicide rate in the nation among kids aged 10 to 14 and continues to face significant youth mental health challenges. Shodair is unique as the only Montana hospital in the Children’s Miracle Hospital Network and the sole psychiatric hospital among the network’s 175 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.</p><p>The Hope Campaign seeks to raise funds to support treatments not covered by insurance. A key feature of the campaign is a children's book that tells a relatable story about animals in Montana's ecosystem, designed to help children discuss mental health and their feelings. The book, which will be distributed for free across the state, invites the public to support the initiative.</p><p>“We are trying to bring more awareness to what we’re doing here, the lives we continue to save, and reach out to kids and their families. I want to make them aware that this is a safe place to bring their kid to heal,” said hospital CEO Craig Aasved.</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.ktvh.com/news/shodair-childrens-hospital-launches-hope-campaign">LEARN MORE</a></p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/community-benefit">Benefiting Communities</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:21:36 -0600 Suicide Prevention Survey on mental health, suicide prevention shows uptick in 988 hotline awareness /news/headline/2024-10-11-survey-mental-health-suicide-prevention-shows-uptick-988-hotline-awareness <p>A <a href="https://suicidepreventionnow.org/" target="_blank" title="Suicide Prevention Now homepage">survey</a> released Oct. 9 and funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a public-private partnership whose members include the AHA, shows 63% of U.S. adults are aware of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a 6% increase from 2022. The survey also found that 71% of adults feel comfortable contacting a mental health hotline, while 15% said they have used one previously. Among other findings, 91% of U.S. adults perceive mental health as equal to or more important than physical health, but 49% feel that physical health is treated as more important.</p><p>For additional resources on suicide prevention, visit <a href="/suicideprevention">www.aha.org/suicideprevention</a>.</p> Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:25:01 -0500 Suicide Prevention Chair File: Supporting Mental Health and Well-being and Preventing Suicide /news/chairpersons-file/2024-09-23-chair-file-supporting-mental-health-and-well-being-and-preventing-suicide <p>September is <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/observances/suicide-prevention-month" target="_blank" title="Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Website.">Suicide Prevention Awareness Month</a>. Suicide is a public health issue. Someone in the U.S. dies by suicide every 11 minutes. In 2022, suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10–64, and it was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–14 and 25–34, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html" target="_blank" title="Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website ">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. Some populations have <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/disparities/index.html" target="_blank" title="Suicide disparities index">higher rates of suicide</a>, including active-duty military members and veterans. And for every suicide death, there are many, many more people who seriously consider, plan or attempt suicide. The devastating impact that losing a loved one to suicide has on families, friends and communities cannot be overstated.</p><p>Suicide is preventable. By helping people in times of crisis get the care and support they need — and addressing the stigma that may discourage people from seeking needed care — we can reduce factors that increase risk and increase factors that promote resilience and recovery.</p><p>An important aspect of suicide prevention is supporting the mental health and well-being of the workforce. In October 2022, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., published a “<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/workplace-mental-health-well-being.pdf" target="_blank" title="Framework for mental health and wellbeing, ">Framework for Workforce Mental Health & Well-being</a>.” This publication cited concerning statistics from a 2021 survey of workers across for-profit, nonprofit and government sectors: 76% of respondents reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition, an increase of 17 percentage points in only two years. In addition, 84% of respondents reported at least one workplace factor had a negative impact on their mental health. The surgeon general’s report noted that while the pandemic “did not create” such workplace stressors, “it worsened many of them.”</p><p>There is no health without mental health, and the AHA is committed to supporting mental well-being and improving access to behavioral health screenings, referrals and treatment. Visit <a href="/suicideprevention" target="_blank" title="AHA Suicide Prevention Web Site">AHA.org</a> for valuable resources on suicide prevention. Here are a few:</p><ul><li>An AHA <a href=/suicideprevention/health-care-workforce/suicide-prevention-guide" target="_blank" title="AHA Guide">guide</a> offers a curated list of 12 evidence-informed interventions that hospitals and health systems can implement to reduce the risk of suicide among their employees. We know that health care workers are at an increased risk for suicide due to long work hours, emotionally difficult situations with patients and their family members, risk of exposure to diseases and other hazards, including workplace violence, and routine exposure to human suffering and death.</li><li>Health care leaders must prioritize their mental well-being too. We know that stigma plays a role in clinical staff’s reluctance to report their own mental health challenges. Sharing a mental health issue should be treated the same as reporting a physical injury. In a powerful <a href="/stigma" target="_blank" title="Daryl Tol video">video</a> from the AHA, Daryl Tol, former CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida, discusses his personal struggle with anxiety and why health care leaders must eliminate the stigma around employees talking about their mental health. I encourage you to watch the video, if you haven’t already, and share it with your colleagues.</li><li>More than 30% of Americans have diagnosed anxiety disorders, and I talk with Robert Brady, who leads the Anxiety Disorders Service at Dartmouth Health, about this topic in a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-queynyeLE" target="_blank" title="Dartmouth Health Leadership Dialogue">Leadership Dialogue</a>.</li><li>When talking about suicide with patients and co-workers, the language we use is important. One of AHA’s <a href="/people-matter-words-matter" target="_blank" title="Words Matter People Matter Poster">People Matter, Words Matter</a> posters focuses on <a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/11/PMWM-suicide-destig-language.pdf" title="destigmatizing language about suicide">using destigmatizing language</a> about suicide.</li></ul><p>Too many individuals, families and communities have been affected by suicide. Talking more openly about suicide and mental health issues is a promising development — one that offers hope for reducing stigma, helping people become better informed, and finding solutions to ensure that people at risk feel supported and connected. Let’s keep these conversations going.</p><p><em>If you or anyone you know are in crisis, please call 988 — the suicide and crisis lifeline — or 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. </em></p> Mon, 23 Sep 2024 11:15:28 -0500 Suicide Prevention AHA podcast: Suicide Prevention in Wisconsin’s Farming Community  /news/headline/2024-09-18-aha-podcast-suicide-prevention-wisconsins-farming-community <p>The Farmer Angel Network support group is devoted to suicide prevention in Wisconsin's farming communities. In this conversation, co-founder Brenda Statz, Carey Craker, marketing and volunteer services associate at Reedsburg Area Medical Center, and Christy Updike, transformation program manager at Sauk Prairie Healthcare, discuss how this impactful work began, the domino effect that suicide can have in farming towns and the resources available to support families and loved ones. <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2024-09-18-suicide-prevention-wisconsins-farming-communities"><strong>LISTEN NOW</strong></a> </p><div></div> Wed, 18 Sep 2024 16:05:34 -0500 Suicide Prevention