LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- As the spread of the coronavirus continues, behavioral-health experts say it's as important as ever to make sure children and young people have the mental-health support they need.

In Las Vegas since the pandemic began, 19 students have died by suicide.

Taryn Hiatt, Utah/Nevada area director at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said it's critical for parents, teachers and other folks interacting with young people to educate themselves.

"Just like you would learn CPR to respond to somebody in a physical emergency or, you know, we learn the signs of stroke and heart attack, so we can be helpful," Hiatt explained. "Well, we all need to learn the signs and symptoms of a mental-health crisis."

She added those signs can range from depression and anxiety to withdrawing from activities or isolating themselves from family and friends.

Hiatt implored anyone who may be struggling or having thoughts of suicide to connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or the Crisis Text Line, by texting HOME to 741741.

Wendy Whitsett, clinical practice coordinator for Health Plan of Nevada's Behavioral Healthcare Options, noted children are facing many of the same uncertainties adults are.

"Our new normal is not being able to play with their friends in the same ways, isolation and loneliness," Whitsett outlined. "Children use their peer groups, they play, just like we have our friends that we talk to."

Hiatt highlighted the importance of taking signs of mental-health crisis seriously, especially with children and teens. She pointed out the teenage brain is not fully formed yet, and young people often can act more impulsively.

"That's why it is even more risky for them to be in crisis," Hiatt cautioned. "Because they don't know with life experience that this thing that seems like it will never change is going to get better."

She recommends the my3 suicide-prevention app for anyone, not just people who've already made an attempt.

It poses questions such as who can you call, what can you do to distract yourself, and where is a safe space you can go, to be prepared with some strategies for coping if you do find yourself in crisis.


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The U.S. had more than 500 mass shootings last year, and a new program launched in Denver hopes to prevent targeted violence before it happens.

AllHealth Network is a nonprofit behavioral health center that serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Its Chief Clinical Officer Jen Bock said her team can intervene the moment that direct threats of violence, or violent behaviors are witnessed and reported.

"We can step in and work with community providers to identify and decrease that risk," said Bock. "The goal is to get people support, so we can increase overall community safety."

Just 5% of mass shootings are related to severe mental illness, according to researchers at Columbia University.

Other factors play a bigger role, such as a history of financial and legal problems, challenges coping with anger and stress, nihilism, and a desire for notoriety especially among young men.

Those wishing to request a targeted violence prevention training can send an email to tvp@allhealthnetwork.org.

AllHealth's Rebecca Rickard was certified as a targeted violence and prevention co-responder through the Department of Homeland Security's National Threat, Evaluation and Reporting Program Office.

She said people closest to individuals often don't believe they could harm others, and overlook threats. But she said it's important to take signs of potential violence seriously.

"If you see a sudden change in how your child is dressing that might seem really unusual for them, ask them what's going on," said Rickard. "What's fueled the change? And basically just getting as much detail as possible."

Bock said she believes education is key to reducing targeted violence.

She pointed to the success achieved by national and state campaigns that helped raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of potential suicide.

"This training helps with signs and symptoms of possible violence," said Bock, "and so, getting the word out can really help overall for early intervention and increasing community safety."



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As Florida's legislative session begins on Tuesday, the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use is urging lawmakers to prioritize the creation of a statewide behavioral health data repository.

The recommendation, highlighted in the commission's Annual Interim Report released in January, aims to centralize data on mental health trends, costs, access and outcomes to improve care quality and ensure Floridians receive the help they need.

Jay Reeve, chair of the commission and CEO of Apalachee Center in Tallahassee, is a clinical psychologist with 40 years of experience and stressed the repository would follow strict federal guidelines to protect patient privacy.

"We're going to have to develop a data governance structure that's very transparent and make sure that there is really no way to breach any of the data we receive that is identified data," Reeve urged.

Reeve is particularly focused on de-identified data, which the proposed repository would use to track mental health trends, improve treatment and guide statewide planning. The commission's work influenced last year's Live Healthy Act and Senate Bill 330. This year, its data repository proposal is gaining traction, with language included in Senate Bill 168.

The recommendation of the repository comes as Florida faces increasing demand for mental health services, particularly among children. Reeve noted while the state has made strides in expanding access to care, such as through mobile crisis response teams, stigma remains a major barrier to treatment.

"Every year I'm increasingly convinced that the biggest barrier to services and service utilization is stigma," Reeve stressed. "I think that's the number one through 50."

Opponents, including some privacy advocates, worry even de-identified data could be reidentified with advanced technology, putting vulnerable populations at risk. Additionally, some mental health advocacy groups have proposed alternative solutions, such as increasing funding for community-based mental health programs rather than investing in a centralized data system.


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Late last year, Missouri recorded its first significant drop in overdose deaths since 2015 - primarily due to increased access to naloxone, also called the Lazarus drug for its ability to revive a person who has overdosed.

A 2024 report from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services shows opioid-related deaths statewide fell from more than 700 to just over 500, a 30% decrease.

DawnElyn Schneider, chief network development and population health officer with Central Ozarks Medical Center, said it's important to carry naloxone for overdose emergencies.

However, she also attributed the decline in overdose deaths to increased community education on factors surrounding substance use.

"On the prevalence, on risk factors, on identifying concerning trends and behavior," said Schneider, "and if you're an individual who is struggling with substance use, or a family member who is struggling with substance use, how do you get help?"

More than 73% of the drug overdose deaths in Missouri in 2023 were opioid-related.

Since 2017, Missouri has had a standing order allowing anyone to get naloxone from pharmacies without a prescription.

That increased access enables more people, including drug users, to use it in emergencies.

Schneider said harm reduction strategies for those who use drugs include carrying naloxone, avoiding use alone, and using clean needles to prevent overdoses and infections.

"Abstinence is not always the only goal," said Schneider. "Sometimes, you have to get someone to a point where they have safer use before they're ready to stop using completely."

Nationwide, opioid deaths dropped from around 84,000 to about 81,000, while cocaine and methamphetamine-related deaths saw a slight increase.




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