skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 7, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

MS response rate to 988 crisis hotline reaches 98%

play audio
Play

Thursday, July 18, 2024   

A health report by the non-profit group called "Inseparable" shows Mississippi's 988 crisis line has a 98% response rate. The report shows the role of response teams in a mental health crisis and whether the states are effectively implementing the national suicide prevention hotline.

Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer with Inseparable, said the 988 system follows a three-part model: talk, respond, and provide a safe place, and it recommends expanding mental health resources and securing stable funding.

"One of the pieces that we focus a lot on is sustainable financing. So we recognize that crisis, services are something that ought to be available to everyone 24/7 regardless of their ability to pay," she said.

Kimball added that the system must be built to be independent of Medicaid, and suggested that legislators work to ensure that there are other funding sources. Mississippi has not implemented a 988 surcharge or passed legislation policies that support a 988 continuum of crisis services.

Kimball noted that one in five fatal police shootings involves someone with mental illness, often resulting in tragic outcomes without the right help. She added some states have introduced mobile crisis response teams and crisis stabilization services, as it's critical to address these needs to ensure proper care.

"With the right approach, people can get on the path to recovery. We can avoid the expense, the trauma of emergency departments, of jails, of law enforcement involvement, and really give people help when they need it most," she said.

The report shows Mississippi needs about 140 additional short-term residential beds and 24 mobile crisis units to meet the demand for crisis care. If you are in crisis or know someone who is, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Disclosure: Inseparable contributes to our fund for reporting on Criminal Justice, Health Issues, Mental Health, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021