    February 2025

    Vibrant PPGA Members Present Valuable Policy Resources at NASCOD Meeting
This week, two members of the Public Policy & Government Affairs (PPGA) Department at Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) – State Policy Director Shelley Polanco and State Policy Manager Daniel Herron – presented at a meeting of the National Association of Crisis Organization Directors (NASCOD). They provided an overview of the evolving state landscape for funding the crisis centers that are part of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline). Shelley and Daniel also covered how states have historically funded the 988 Lifeline, the trends they are currently tracking, and the latest legislative developments shaping crisis response systems nationwide.
To read more about their presentation, click here.

    Vibrant Celebrates Reintroduction of 988 Cybersecurity Bill
At the beginning of February, Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA 23) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI 6) reintroduced the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act (H.R. 912), a bipartisan bill that unanimously passed the House during the last Congress. As the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) administrator, Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) celebrates the reintroduction of this critical bill, which will improve the cybersecurity of the 988 Lifeline and prevent potential disruptions to the service.
Read more about this important legislation here.

    Vibrant Partners with Southern University Students to Promote Mental Well-Being
Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant)'s partnership with Southern University students to promote mental well-being was recently showcased at the Mental Health America "Ripples from Rain - Traumas Visible and Invisible" meeting in New Orleans, LA. 

Vibrant is thrilled to partner with Kobe Kelson to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) and mental health at Southern University. Kobe is a lifetime member of the Beta Sigma Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Incorporated, a Southern University Human Jukebox Band Section Leader, and a student. 
Read more about this event and watch the presentation here.

Huddle Up for Hope - Vibrant Public Policy Department Celebrates Athlete Mental Health
Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) was pleased to partner with the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Set Free Indeed Ministries, The Defensive Line, and others to Huddle Up for Hope - a celebration of Athlete Mental Health on February 5th. The day of activities included a mental health focused rally at the LSU University Laboratory School, a tour of the state-of-the-art athletics facility at LSU, followed by an awards dinner honoring athletes making a difference in mental health. James Brown, a three-time Emmy Award-winning network broadcaster, was the keynote speaker with awardees including Kramer Robertson, among others. 
LSU University Laboratory School Huddle Up for Hope Rally

Chris Thomas of The Defensive Line and Laura Evans, Vibrant Emotional Health

    Vibrant PPGA Remembers Parkland Tragedy
On February 14, 2018, a gunman entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, killing 14 students and three staff members and injuring countless others. In the years since this tragedy, survivors and the families of the slain have become active public policy advocates. 
Read how one family created an organization to support mental health efforts in schools and invited our department to tour the school before its demolition here.

    Trending 988 Lifeline Bills the PPGA Department is Tracking
With all 50 states in legislative session this year and a new Presidential administration, the State Policy Pillar of Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant)’s Public Policy and Government Affairs (PPGA) department has been busy tracking bills introduced that could potentially increase access to and funding for the crisis centers and the crisis continuum in the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) network. 
Read more about the bills supporting funding and increasing access to the 988 Lifeline here.

    FY25 Federal Budget Resolutions Passed out of Committee
The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate Budget Committees have advanced budget resolutions for the remainder of the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025). 
Read about the resolutions for both the Senate and House Budget Committees here.

    What's Happening This Month in the States...
Click here to see the state legislation affecting mental health in your state. 

    Find and Connect with Your Elected Officials 
Have you built relationships with your elected officials to help you advocate? Was a new individual elected into office for your district? Now is the perfect time to introduce yourself or your organization and begin building relationships!
Click here to connect with your elected officials and learn about other free resources for advocating for your or your organization's needs.

    For more information...
The Vibrant Public Policy & Government Affairs Department is excited to provide free access to our monthly newsletter. We also offer free online resources created for individuals or organizations seeking legislative information to empower them to advocate for mental and emotional well-being.
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If you have any questions for the Public Policy & Government Affairs Department, please email Policy@Vibrant.org.

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