>>In the year since 988 went live, here’s what a Springfield mental health provider has seen
July 30, 2023>>South Bend police policy on mental illness response unchanged year after deadly standoff
July 30, 2023Alliance of health, community organizations launch online hub for mental health resources
Almost a year ago, the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment found that people in the Springfield community experience poor mental health at a higher rate than people in the rest of Missouri and the United States.
In response to the findings, public health, health care and community organizations have created an online resource hub called Mental Health 417 to “dedicated to improving mental health in the Ozarks,” according to the press release.
“The hope is that no matter what stage of mental wellness a person is at, whether they are experiencing unusually high amounts of stress or a mental health crisis, the hub can connect them with the resources or services they need. The hub also aims to normalize prioritizing mental health and reduce the stigma around seeking care,” the press release said. “The goal of this initiative is to provide steps that people can take to halt the progression of the poor mental health before they reach crisis.”
While Springfield is in the top 10% of the United States when it comes to the rate of mental health care providers to patients, the community still faces difficulty in terms of access, according to the 2022 report. Additionally, mental health was identified as a health priority in the previous community health needs assessment.
The website offers overviews of common mental health disorders, self-assessments to help people better understand their mental health needs, a self-care toolbox with local ideas, tips for starting conversations about mental health and a treatment finder.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by dialing 988. Burrell Behavioral Health’s 24-hour crisis line is available at 1-800-494-7355.
Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
