HJNO Nov/Dec 2023

38 NOV / DEC 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   Healthcare Briefs increasing Louisiana 988 usage statewide. A key goal of the campaign is reaching vulnerable pop- ulations about the services available through 988. A series of historic storms, the COVID-19 pan- demic, and other traumatic events have taken a major toll on the mental health and emotional well-being of Louisianans of all ages in recent years. Because of these challenges, the message from LDH has been clear: It’s OK to not be OK, and Louisiana 988 has counselors ready to assist anyone seeking help. “LDH recognizes that stigma and even fear may deter individuals from seeking support from 988. This campaign is designed to address those bar- riers and encourage Louisiana residents to reach out whether they are in a mental health crisis or just having a bad day,” said LDH Secretary Ste- phen Russo. “Our hope for this new marketing initiative is to reach a wider audience, including vulnerable communities, so that all Louisianans know how to utilize 988 and what to expect. All of us need help sometimes, and LDH is committed to eliminating the stigma around mental health and substance use. The 988 helpline ensures everyone has easy and confidential access to high-quality emotional support, regardless of why the support is needed.” One in five adults in the U.S. lives with a men- tal health condition. Death by suicide is the 14th leading cause of death in the state, and it is the third leading cause of death for Louisian- ans ages 10-34. According to the National Cen- ter for Health Statistics, 689 Louisianans died by suicide in 2021. The campaign is informed by field research that identified three primary barriers to individ- uals contacting 988: • Not knowing what to expect when calling 988. • Fear of being let down when someone is feeling most vulnerable. • Fear of overstepping personal boundaries or making things worse for someone else when calling for help. Key components of the campaign include an aggressive paid media strategy starting with social media advertising; a new website — Lou- isiana988.org — for people to learn more; and a platform for community partners, advocates, and local influencers to generate their own 988 promotional materials. In July 2023, Louisiana, along with other U.S. states, transitioned to using the 988 dialing code to strengthen and expand the existing Lifeline. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sees 988 as a first step toward a transformed crisis care system in Amer- ica, and LDH believes 988 to be an important resource for residents to get immediate support when they need it. According to national studies, the helpline works — individuals who contact 988 are signif- icantly more likely to feel less depressed, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to a counselor. Almost 98% of people who call, chat, or text the 988 helpline get the support they need and do not require emergency services in that moment, according to SAMHSA. The LDH Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) has contracted with two certified call centers in Loui- siana to answer 988 calls: • The call center in New Orleans answers calls for area codes 504, 225, and 985. • The call center in Bossier City answers calls from area codes 318 and 337. The two call centers provide backup to each other to help ensure calls, chats and texts are answered by an in-state 988 center with access to local resources. Since launch, call volume for 988 has increased by 11%, and the in-state answer rate rose from 64% in June 2022 to 87% over the last year. The helpline offers specialized support to veterans and their families, Spanish speakers, LGBTQ+ youth, and deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Both centers are certified by Vibrant Emotional Health, the federal 988 administrator. They must meet Vibrant’s national standards in addition to being accredited by a national accrediting agency. In May, LDH launched a dashboard that pro- vides key monthly metrics from Louisiana’s two 988 centers. Calls to 988 are confidential and any self-reported data is aggregated before sharing with the public. 988 was established nationally in 2022 to improve access to support services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related care needs. 988 replaces the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800 number with an easy-to-remember phone num- ber, providing access to the helpline network and referrals to local resources. DePaul Community Health Centers Promotes Maternal Mental Health DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC), through its DePaul Infant Equity Education Pro- gram (DIEEP) initiative, is raising awareness dur- ing Suicide Prevention Month about mental health issues, especially in mothers battling post- partum depression. Several studies have shown that suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in the first year after giving birth and is one of the top three rea- sons for pregnancy-associated deaths, as defined by the CDC. “Mothers in Louisiana have the highest rate of maternal mortality and the job of motherhood, after giving birth, can be filled with many emo- tions,” said Kawana Ripoll, DCHC’s director of behavioral health, substance abuse, and school- based health services. “Many mothers suffer in silence. Be a support to the mother by letting them know that postpartum depression or anxiety is common and allow the mother to share their feelings without judgment. Removing this taboo is essential to creating support and expanding access to care.” DIEEP offers soon-to-be mothers, current moth- ers, and their loved ones the tools and education for them to receive the support they need and resources to address their mental health. Upon receiving a referral, DCHC patients can schedule an appointment with a mental health provider who will then evaluate, listen to the patient's con- cerns, and decide best treatment options with the patient. Family members are encouraged to check on their loved ones and pay attention to signs of depression, such as feeling hopeless, losing inter- est in daily activities, gaining or losing weight, and having low self-esteem. Remember to call 9-1-1 immediately if you, or someone you know, is having a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. For mental health information and services pro- vided by DePaul Community Health Centers, call (504) 207-3060. n