Description
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2013 Cooperative Agreements for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center Follow Up. The purpose of this program is to promote systematic follow up of suicidal persons who call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, suicidal persons discharged from emergency departments, and those who are being followed by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Centers. This initiative also supports the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP). This grant program supports SAMHSA's Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Strategic Initiative through its focus on the prevention and reduction of mental illness and substance abuse across the lifespan. This initiative supports implementation of Goal 8 of the NSSP: "Promote suicide prevention as a core component of health care services." Specifically, this RFA supports the following objectives of the NSSP: Promote continuity of care and the safety and well being of all patients treated for suicide risk in emergency departments or hospital inpatient units. Coordinate services among suicide prevention and intervention programs, health care systems, and accredited local crisis centers. Develop collaborations between emergency departments and other health care providers to provide alternatives to emergency department care and hospitalization when appropriate, and to promote rapid follow up after discharge. In FY 2012, on average more than 70,000 calls are answered through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline each month. SAMHSA funded hotline evaluations have shown that large numbers of callers have significant histories of suicidal ideation and attempts and that 43% of suicidal callers experienced some recurrence of suicidal ideation within the next several weeks after the call. Outreach and prevention activities will address the needs of diverse populations, including but not limited to, the populations identified by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention; sexual orientation and gender identity minority youth, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), military family members, and veterans. For those at imminent risk for suicide, emergency intervention is frequently initiated. Recent research findings from the Veterans Administration and surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control have demonstrated that the period after emergency interventions is one of heightened risk for suicide, with significant numbers of deaths occurring following discharge from either an emergency department or inpatient hospitalization. Â Consistent with the goals and objectives of the NSSP, SAMHSA hopes to assist crisis centers in maintaining the safety of individuals contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by phone, chat, or text, and to increase the likelihood of their receiving needed services, including a focus around emergency department and inpatient hospitalization discharge. For those not at imminent risk, crisis centers will typically provide referrals to mental health providers and other services, and will also advise the caller that they may call back if they are in crisis or have additional needs. The Cooperative Agreements for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center Follow Up is one of SAMHSAs services grant programs. SAMHSA intends that its services grants result in the delivery of services as soon as possible after award. Service delivery should begin by the fourth month of the project at the latest. The Cooperative Agreements for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center Follow Up are authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD.