Wednesday, January 15, 2025
1/15/2025
Be the Change is an initiative to train citizens in rural counties of eastern Washington to be the bridge between a client, student, colleague, friend or family member who is suffering from a serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance and the care that they need. Be the Change leverages Mental Health First Aid, an evidence-based practice, in training all citizens to identify and assess mental illness. Be the Change will teach 2650 residents of eastern Washington per year, with a total of 7950 residents trained within the three-year grant period. The population of focus is all citizens, with an emphasis on school-based personnel (teachers, administrators, resource officers, etc.), first responders (police, fire, EMT), and veterans, veteran-serving organizations, and families of veterans. According to a report issued by SAMHSA in 2015, 226,000 adults in Washington state had serious thoughts of suicide, and 232,000 had a serious mental illness within a year prior to being surveyed (survey year 2013-2014). Of these, only 44.4% received mental health treatment or counseling. Goal 1: Increase the capacity of school personnel to identify and address mental health issues before they become emergencies. Goal 1, Objective 1: By September 2021, 50% of teachers and relevant school personnel in the catchment area will be trained in Mental Health First Aid. Goal 2: Increase the capacity of first responders to serve as a bridge between citizens in need of mental health services and the services available. Goal 2, Objective 1: By September 2021, 25% of law enforcement and emergency services personnel in the catchment area will be trained in Mental Health First Aid. Goal 2, Objective 2: By the end of this project, 75% of law enforcement and emergency services personnel in the catchment area will carry a card that lists the mental health resources available in their area. Goal 3: Increase the capacity of rural communities to “care for their own” by providing education, resource cards, and referrals. Goal 2, Objective 1: By September 2021, all citizens in the catchment area requesting Mental Health First Aid training through this project will receive training.
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).