Thursday, April 25, 2024
4/25/2024
The project titled Rural West Texas Covid-19 Relief Suicide Prevention aims to benefit residents of Coke, Concho, Crocket, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, and Tom Green Counties, that are experiencing suicidal thoughts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures implemented to slow down its spread. The proposed project focuses on domestic violence victims and their dependents as a population with a higher risk of suicide. MHMR services for the Concho Valley, in conjunction with the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Authority, will lead the project in partnership with West Texas Counseling & Guidance providing outpatient behavioral support and the Institute of Cognitive Development providing agency support to victims of domestic violence. The area of service for the Rural West Texas Covid-19 Relief Suicide Prevention project is largely rural and located at the edge of the Permian Basin, which serves as the world's second most valuable oil field. The geographic catchment area equates to approximately 3.5% of Texas's landmass, representing about 0.45% of Texas's population. The reported race categories are Caucasian, 93.5%; African American, 2.3%; Hispanic, 45.6%. Additionally, 14.6% identify as low income, and 18.3% of the adult population under 65 are uninsured (U.S. Census Bureau). Stakeholders in the area worry about the effects of Covid-19 on declining mental health trends and increased domestic violence victims. Since the outbreak, there has been an increase of 35-40% in local domestic violence calls to support hotlines. Furthermore, Tom Green County consistently has had suicide rates above the national and state averages. This focus area has a shortage of mental health providers and residents rely heavily on resources located in Tom Green County. The Rural West Texas Covid-19 Relief Suicide Prevention Project aims to prevent suicides in the area, as a result of the pandemic, by strengthening current suicide prevention efforts. Through the project, the partnership will develop a Care Management Plan to provide the needed support and services to individuals with suicidal crisis upon discharge of emergency rooms and psychiatric facilities. If granted, area community groups and providers will have access to necessary evidenced-based screening and suicide prevention training. Also, partner agencies will have standardized screening protocols, guaranteeing that those clients most at risk of systematic disenfranchisement receive consistent and competent access-to-care. If granted, a portion of the funds will support hiring additional staff to serve the increased number of individuals expected as a result of enhanced screening measures. Additional funds will be utilized to provide direct services to those at risk, including domestic violence victims and their families. Services provided include increased mental health counseling access, telepsychiatry, medication assistance, and emergency housing. 39% of the funds will be use to provide direct support to domestic violence victims.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
