Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Regional Response Team held a training course for Collaborative Action Network members in partnership with Behavioral Health Network (BHN).
If you or someone you know needs immediate mental health support, call Behavioral Health Response at 1-800-811-4760 (local: 314-469-6644).
BHN’s mission is to improve our community by leading behavioral health planning and coordination through shared responsibility, accountability, transparency, inclusiveness, mutual respect, and racial equity. BHN’s 2020-2022 Community Report demonstrates the power of the network to address systemic service gaps.
The training explored how national and regional trends show mental health fallout because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 40% of adults report anxiety or depression systems, up from 10% before pandemic
- 25% of young adults are likely to report substance abuse, up from 13% before pandemic
- 1 in 4 older adults are experiencing mental health challenges
- 71% of parents said the pandemic had a toll on their child’s mental health
Resources are available for individuals seeking support for their mental health. Agencies under the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) determine a person’s eligibility for services and delivery of services. SSM Health’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) is our region’s first and only urgent care/walk-in clinic for immediate access to adult and pediatric behavioral health services. No patient will be turned away from BHUC due to inability to pay. Since its opening in August 2020, BHUC has served over 4,500 patients.
Navigating these systems of care can be challenging. Start the Rest STL provides a directory of St. Louis area resources from mental health to substance abuse and youth services.
Mental Health Hotlines:
- Behavioral Health Response: 1-800-811-4760 (local: 314-469-6644).
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Veterans Crisis Line: call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1; or text 838255
- Crisis Text Line: text the word ‘Home’ to 741-741
- The Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: call 1-866-488-7386
- The Trans Lifeline: call 1-877-565-8860
- United Way 211: dial 211 or call 1-800-427-4626
Sources:
COVID-19’s mental health impact: Converging crises mean it will persist beyond the pandemic
The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use
211.org
