Transforming Suicide Crisis Care

Effective behavioral health crisis care is a key part of a successful suicide prevention strategy, says a recent report by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance).

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Crisis Now: Transforming Services is Within Our Reach is being presented on May 24 by EDC’s Jerry Reed and other leaders at a congressional briefing sponsored by the Action Alliance in coordination with U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and Rep. John Katko (R-NY). The briefing, which will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., will be streamed live.

The report indicates that although some communities are crisis ready, the majority of communities have either incomplete or inadequate crisis care services. The report provides guidance for states and communities to make improvements.

“Individuals in crisis need access to the appropriate services and treatment—wherever, whenever, they need it,” says Reed, EDC senior vice president and director of EDC’s Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence, and Suicide. “A coordinated crisis care network is a state and community’s first line of defense to save lives, and we need national- and state-level commitments to implementing comprehensive crisis services.”

To attend the briefing, register online or e-mail Kim Torguson.