The NATIONAL NETWORK OF SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINES John Draper, Ph.D. December 5, 2004

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The NATIONAL NETWORK OF SUICIDE PREVENTION
HOTLINESJohn Draper, Ph.D.December 5, 2004
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WHAT IS? The National Network of Suicide
Prevention Hotlines

• Funded by SAMHSA3 year grant
• Link suicide prevention hotlines across the
  country
• --to a 24-7 toll-free number
• --that routes callers to the nearest
  crisis call center
• Ensure that all hotlines are certified by a
  recognized accrediting body
• Provide for
• -- a web-based central database for
  resource referrals
• -- training and other technical assistance

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THE ROLE OF HOTLINES IN PREVENTING SUICIDE

• Provide immediate, anonymous and free access to
  support
• --In the suicidal moment provide crisis
  counseling and emergency linkages
• --Before the suicidal moment early intervention
  for callers with non-immediate crises or
  emotional problems, referrals to services for
  ongoing stabilization
• Research has shown that
• --Hotlines are reaching persons that are
  suicidal
• --Hotlines have preventive effects

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BRIEF HISTORY OF NETWORK

• First SAMHSA grant holder for network in 2001
  American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and the
  Kristin Brooks Hope Center
• 1-800-SUICIDE number from 2001-2004
• 140 centers across U.S., 45 states
• Most 24-7, all certified by a credentialing body
  (AAS, CARF, JCAHO, CoA, etc.)
• Approx. 80 of hotlines are a mix b/w
  professionals and trained volunteers some large
  (over 200,000 calls per year), others small
  (6,000 calls per year) some primarily
  information and referral, others mostly crisis
  counseling

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CURRENT ADMINISTRATION OF NETWORK

• Link2Health Solutions, independent affiliate of
  the Mental Health Assoc. of NYC primary
  investigator
• Partner National Assoc. of State Mental Health
  Program Directors (NASMHPD)
• --Assist in identifying hotlines for
  network across the country
• --Assist in identifying existing resource
  databases for potential
• use in project
• --Help promote hotline network among other
  national, state
• and local stakeholders
• Partners to conduct Projects Evaluation for
  Quality Assurance
• --Columbia Universitys Research Foundation
  for Mental Health
• --Rutgers Graduate School of Professional
  Psychology

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GOALS OF NEW ADMINISTRATION

• Centralized database of resources to be shared by
  network (web-based)
• Clearinghouse function cross-network sharing of
  best practices in hotline caller assessment,
  technology interface (e.g., information and
  referral software), public education materials,
  data collected by the network, etc.
• National suicide prevention hotline promotion
  campaigns, support of local hotline efforts
• Enhance network coverage in underrepresented areas

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MAP OF NETWORK CENTERS
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POTENTIAL ROLE OF HOTLINES IN SUPPORTING STATE
AND LOCAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS

• Enhance access to services for uninsured and
  underinsured
• Provide free crisis counseling service, vital in
  resource-diminished rural areas
• Data collection from callers can suggest trends
  in community behavioral health needs
• Public Education campaigns with hotline numbers
  to promote behavioral health awareness
• Disaster mental health preparation and response

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HOTLINE EXAMPLE 1-800-LIFENET in New York City

• Supported by state and local government funds
• 24-7 crisis, information and referral hotline
• Multicultural, staffed by mental health
  professionals
• Customized software, over 4,000 resources, writes
  reports
• Approximately 75,000 calls per year 10 with
  history of suicidal ideation

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EXAMPLE HOTLINES AND PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS
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SENIOR DEPRESSION CAMPAIGN (LIFENET, NYC)
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ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH
(1-800-LIFENET, NYC)
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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS and HOTLINES
9/11 Childrens Mental Health Campaign
1-800-LIFENET, New York
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EXAMPLE HOTLINES AS VEHICLES FOREARLY
INTERVENTION/PREVENTION (LIFENET, NYC)

• 40 of callers no prior history of treatment (70
  on Asian line)
• Reaching more callers prior to crisis/emergency
  (8-fold increase in calls over past 8 years, only
  2-fold increase in crisis and emergency calls)
• Follow-up survey of over 500 LifeNet callers
  affected by 9/11 77 linked to treatment after
  calling the hotline

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WHAT STATES CAN DO TO ASSIST IN NATIONAL
NETWORKS EFFORTS

• Identify key hotlines in Stateencourage network
  partnership
• --States west of the Mississippi River are
  under-represented in the network
• --Let NASMHPD and/or Link2Health Solutions know
  of premier hotlines
• Identify database(s) of resource listings,
  contact NASMHPD or Link2Health

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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOTLINES!

• --stabilize key call centers in your state with
  funding to provide professional staffing, where
  needed
• --use hotlines strategically to promote community
  behavioral health awareness campaigns

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• John Draper, Ph.D., Director
• National Network of Suicide Prevention Hotlines
• Link2Health Solutions
• [phone]
• jdraper_at_mhaofnyc.org