Crisis Intercept Mapping Analysis for Suicide Prevention
Problem
Prevention and crisis services are needed to support service members, veterans, and the general community.
Veterans are disproportionately impacted by suicide. Their suicide rate is 32.0 per 100,000 compared to 17.2 per 100,000 among non-veterans and is increasing at a greater rate. In July 2022, the federal government transitioned the Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 1-800-273-TALK to 988. To support this effort, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provided funding to states to build their crisis services infrastructure and promote the use of 988. Calls to 988 increased significantly in the first year, and a sustainable crisis services infrastructure is necessary to support increased call volume.
Solution
Identifying needs is a first step to supporting 988.
NORC contracted with Policy Research Associates and the Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance Center to analyze community resource inventories and technical assistance reports collected from communities participating in Crisis Intercept Mapping. This national analysis assessed the availability and accessibility of community-based crisis services, gaps and opportunities, and funding of services.
Result
Our recommendations may be used to inform the early implementation of the 988 Lifeline.
NORC’s national analysis identified significant gaps in the community crisis care infrastructure and suggested feasible action steps for addressing these gaps, including relationship building and targeted education and training. Our recommendations may be used to inform the SAMHSA 988 interagency task force and will help ensure the availability and utilization of preventive and crisis services within states across the country during the early implementation of 988.