The Policy Team is excited to announce the launch of its inaugural newsletter this month. It coincides with the completion of new online resources recently created for individuals or organizations looking for legislative information to empower them to promote change. 

If this newsletter was sent to you and you would like to subscribe, please do so by clicking here.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month -a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. We use this month to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information with people affected by suicide. Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and seek help.

Vibrant Emotional Health, administrator of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, knows it is possible to reduce deaths from suicide as we have reduced heart disease fatalities and other leading causes of death. For every person who dies by suicide annually, there are another 316 people who have thought seriously about suicide who don't kill themselves, and nearly 60 who have survived a suicide attempt. The overwhelming majority of these individuals will go on to live out their lives. These untold stories of hope and recovery are the stories of suicide prevention, stories that inform our efforts to prevent more suicides every day. 

Vibrant is proud to again partner with SAMHSA and leading mental health organizations on the #BeThe1To Campaign to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help, and give hope. The campaign outlines five steps everyone can do to prevent suicide and help others through difficult moments.

#BeThe1To Campaign Website (includes materials in Spanish): https://www.bethe1to.com/

2022 #BeThe1To Campaign Toolkit (English): https://www.bethe1to.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/BeThe1To-Messaging-Kit-2022-final-copy.pdf

Supporting yourself in taking the first step: https://www.bethe1to.com/take-the-first-step/

Vibrant is committed to serving individuals in crisis and their loved ones to ensure everyone can achieve mental wellness with dignity and respect. We thank you for your support of 988 Lifeline and individuals experiencing a suicidal or mental health emergency. 

What can the Policy Team do for you?

Why is policy important? How can the Policy Team help me? 

What resources do they have?

Join us to learn the answers, and how to leverage your position using resources we've developed just for you.

In this webinar you will learn about some exciting new resources the Policy Team here at Vibrant has created  to empower you to take action!  

When: Tuesday, 9/13/22 at 2 pm EST

This webinar will have real-time captioning and ASL interpretation. 

Click here to register for our event

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

Enter as a GUEST (Type in your FULL NAME and ORGANIZATION in the same field.)

Mental Health America is partnering with IDONTMIND for a special FREE and VIRTUAL 3-part training series for current and recent high school students (up to age 22) living in NJ, MD, PA, DE, or VA with an interest in mental health advocacy.

• Learn the advocacy skills to make a concrete difference in your school
• Meet leaders in your state and community
• Make friends and build relationships with other young people passionate about mental health

If you have to miss work to attend this training, they can provide financial assistance.

Deadline: Monday, September 12th

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY

California is very close to implementing a 988 telecom fee that will transform its behavioral health crisis response system. AB 988, or The Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act, is currently on the Governor's desk awaiting signature. You can read more about the bill here.  

California has an extraordinary opportunity to transform their behavioral health crisis response system and save countless lives by expanding access to vital behavioral health resources all through the funding of 988. AB 988, a bi-partisan bill, introduces a small telephone surcharge, as permitted in federal 988 legislation, set at only $0.08 per line per month for the first two years with a lifetime cap of $0.30 per line per month, to fund the California crisis centers and mobile crisis teams. 

It is now awaiting Governor Newsom's signature. Once signed, California would become the fifth state (joining Colorado, Nevada, Virginia, and Washington) to pass 988 legislation with fee mechanisms.

To learn more about CA AB 988, please visit our Action Center.

Vibrant Emotional Health joined 19 other leading mental health organizations in sending a letter to urge California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 988. The legislation, also known as the Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act, would coordinate implementation and long-term planning for crisis services, ensure health plans cover behavioral health crisis services, and enact a 988 telephone surcharge to fund crisis centers in the Lifeline network. Visit Vibrant's policy action center to learn more about how you can take action. Sign up for the  Policy Newsletter for the latest policy developments.