Pioneer Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition (PVCSP) is enthusiastic about the recent rollout of 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) and potential improvements to our mental health care system. While suicide rates nationally decreased slightly for the first time in 20 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the increase within certain demographics including youth, LGBTQ+ and Latinx, among others, continue our call to action. One suicide death is one too many. Now is as important a time as any to make support services easily accessible, and having a three-digit number will certainly assist, yet there is so much more to do.
A crisis system reflective of trauma informed and culturally competent crisis intervention, fair and equitable access to care, and comprehensive care coordination continues to require advocacy and attention. In western Massachusetts, we continue to see long provider waiting lists for individuals seeking therapy, medication management, psychiatric supports, in-patient hospital beds and outpatient treatment, including substance misuse facilities and partial programs.
Accessing services is harder due to many factors including increased demand as a result of COVID-19, and the lack of availability of a dwindling workforce that is overworked, underpaid, and quickly burning out. While Massachusetts invests generously in suicide prevention efforts, for which we are most grateful, there are areas that require dramatically more funding and attention.
Human Services is the lowest paid field for those with a master’s degree (Monster.com). Insurer reimbursement rates for mental health services have stayed stagnant throughout the pandemic. This is no way to maintain or attract talented people to the field. We can do better, and we need your voice to do it.
Often the challenge is that many are not motivated toward change until they have been personally impacted. It is our optimistic hope that while the numbers of people seeking care increases, there will be increased advocacy.
Some resources to support and become involved with: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, afsp.org/chapter/massachusetts; National Alliance on Mental Illness, nami.org; Wildflower Alliance, wildfloweralliance.org; Parent/Professional Advocacy League, www.ppal.net; Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention, masspreventsuicide.org.
Sarah Gaer, Jen Matoney and Karen Carreira are Pioneer Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition executive committee members.