CORRECTION: NAMI's full name is the National Alliance of Mental Illness. (September 15, 3pm MT)

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to shed light on a what has been a highly taboo and stigmatized topic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Arkansas 19th in the nation for suicides as a per capita cause of death in 2020.

Buster Lackey, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Arkansas (NAMI), said it is important to raise awareness about suicide to let individuals know help and resources are available.

"Last year, we had about 583 known suicide deaths in the state," Lackey reported. "That's up 41%. So that's because of the pandemic, that is what NAMI is doing. We have the support groups, we have the educational program, we have the toll-free helpline that we run 24/7 that works in conjunction with 988, the new national-rollout three-digit suicide number."

Suicide is not just a growing issue in Arkansas but across the nation. The CDC reported in 2020, suicide was responsible for nearly 46,000 deaths.

Lackey pointed out the National Alliance on Mental Illness works through outreach efforts with Black churches to help reduce the stigma of suicide and mental-health issues in the community.

"I just think it is one of those taboo subjects. No one wants to talk about it, especially among the Black population and African Americans," Lackey observed. "Mental health in general is taboo. Two weeks ago, I spoke at an AME church on a Saturday, and we had about 80 people there, and over half of them said that they should probably be in counseling. But we're trying to break that stigma across all the races, ethnic groups."

To prevent suicide, Lackey argued it is essential for people to pay attention to the warning signs, and if something seems different, to ask the person if they are OK and if you can help them.

"If they're talking about suicide, you need to pay attention," Lackey urged. "It doesn't mean they're going to do it. If they've got a plan to do it, you need to seek intervention immediately. Wanting to die is another big sign, giving away possessions, especially if it's their prized possessions, and they're starting to give stuff away, that's another sign. Withdrawal, isolation from people."


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Indiana families are preparing kids for back-to-school season, and mental-health experts say emotional readiness is just as important as school supplies.

Beth Trammell, a psychologist and professor at Indiana University East, said kids often carry anxiety into the new school year. She encouraged parents to help children identify those fears.

"We as parents or caregivers think, 'Don't worry, or don't stress.' Instead, we might want to say, 'OK, well, let's talk about what it is you're worried about. What is the worst thing you think could happen?' If we draw it out of them," she said, "it may give them space to kind of let that out."

Helping kids feel heard can reduce stress. But experts also urge balance, keeping mornings calm, easing into routines, and not overloading schedules the first few weeks.

Nicole Brady, chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare, said mental-health support should remain a priority throughout the year.

"Though we want our kids to be involved in activities and be social," she said, "we have to watch their academic performance, their mood, those sleep patterns, and making sure that those are staying healthy."

Brady added that parents should talk regularly with kids, model healthy coping and seek help early if warning signs appear.


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After a legislative session which opened doors to expand mental health care services across Montana, a state commission said it is considering the Billings area to build the state's second forensic facility.

For people involved in Montana's justice system whom a judge has deemed not mentally fit for their own defense, there are 53 beds in the state's only forensic facility in Galen. The daily waitlist hovers at about 100 people.

Matt Kuntz, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Montana, said it is not meeting the immense need.

"It's just a really bad situation for the people that are in the jails, for the people that are caring for them, for the taxpayers," Kuntz outlined. "It just doesn't work for anybody."

At a recent commission meeting, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton said the state is identifying a location for a new facility. The department received nearly $27 million from the state in April to fund project planning.

Kuntz noted the Montana Legislature passed many bills this session centered on mental health care.

"We really were able to get big wins in access to outpatient care, access to crisis care and for people in need of forensic hospital," Kuntz explained. "Overall, it was really an amazing legislative session for Montanans with mental health conditions."

Other mental health legislation will boost school-based services, youth in residential care, the state's 988 crisis line and certified community behavioral health clinics.


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The California Parent and Youth Helpline is in serious jeopardy after Gov. Gavin Newsom cut it from the new state budget, saying the money was needed to support medical services.

Advocates said they are puzzled because the governor has championed the helpline for years, and lawmakers approved $3 million from a separate fund dedicated to mental health, which does not affect the deficit.

Lisa Pion-Berlin, president and CEO of the nonprofit Parents Anonymous, which runs the helpline, said it is still operating 24/7, for now.

"We're holding on for the next month or so," Pion-Berlin pointed out. "But we need the state to step up, or one of these well-off philanthropists who cares about having that immediate help for emotional support, which is so vital."

Advocates are hoping funding can be restored via a budget trailer bill in the next few weeks. People can call or text and reach the helpline's trained counselors at 877-427-2736. The free helpline has connected with more than 120,000 people since its inception five years ago, and the website CAParentYouthHelpline.org has reached a million more.

Pion-Berlin noted a study in the Journal of Technology in Human Services found a call to the helpline can quickly ease parents' suffering and feelings of isolation.

"The research said that 85% of the callers in less than 30 minutes feel more positive, more hopeful and able to address their issues," Pion-Berlin reported. "There is no other service or pill I know that can do that in 30 minutes or less."

Parents Anonymous also offers free weekly support groups to steer parents and kids through emotional crises of all kinds.

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