Local organizations recently announced a new grant fund that will allow mental health organizations statewide to expand access to trauma-informed mental health care for youth.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is the largest hotline network in the country. A national study from Trans Lifeline raises concerns about 988’s practices around consent, transparency, safety and the disclosure of emergency intervention data.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline counselors help people who may be on the cusp of taking their own life. But some counselors say that they’re also facing verbal and sexual abuse from a small fraction of callers.

State health officials say greater awareness of 988, the mental health crisis hotline, is a major key to getting more people connected to the care they need.

Being a veterinarian and helping animals can bring a lot of joy. But the job also comes with a host of stressors that can affect veterinarians mental health, and the field is starting to have more conversations about it.

A recent report from the Girl Coalition of Indiana found that in 2022, nearly half of middle and high school girls experienced depression.

A new service added to the 988 Lifeline will offer suicide prevention and mental health crisis counseling through American Sign Language for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing without the need for an interpreter.

The launch of 988 is something thats been celebrated as a long-time need by mental health advocates and law enforcement agents. But rolling out the service is proving to be complicated.

In Illinois, providers hope the Living Room model will help fill the gap in mental health services, as the nations new mental health crisis number, 988, rolls out this month.

Advocates are hopeful the three-digit mental health crisis number, 988, will make it easier for people to reach out for help starting July 16. But some worry about states where crisis call centers already struggle to keep up with demand.