Nationally and in Springfield, men's mental health is at risk. A CFO grant aims to help
Editor's note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by dialing 988. Burrell Behavioral Health's 24-hour crisis line is available at 1-800-494-7355.
Springfield City Council heard from the health department twice during Tuesday's meeting, one regarding men's mental health and the other regarding COVID-19 recovery.
Springfield-Greene County Health Department Assistant Director Jon Mooney was present to answer questions about both grants. While the council approved the COVID-19 grant, they will vote on the men's mental health one on July 10.
CFO grant tackles one of the areas highlighted in Community Health Needs Assessment
Mental health continues to be a top priority in Springfield, and a Community Foundation of the Ozarks grant hopes to assist a specific group: men.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men died by suicide nearly 4 times more than women in 2021 and white men accounted for nearly 70% of suicides in 2021. The National Institutes of Health says that men are less likely than women to have received mental health treatment in the last year.
In Springfield, the suicide mortality rate is 60% higher than the national average, according to the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment.
More: Alliance of health, community organizations launch online hub for mental health resources
The City Council heard a special ordinance allowing the city manager to accept a grant to address men's mental health from the Community Partnership of the Ozarks through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks' Advancing Mental Wellness program. Council will vote on the bill July 10.
"The campaign will not only focus on ensuring everyone is aware of what kind of crisis resources our community has to offer, but also on interventions and local resources that people can utilize to prevent poor mental health from becoming a crisis," Mooney said.
According to the bill, CPO will reimburse the health department up to $50,000 annually for personnel expenses related to the men’s mental health project, including staff time focused on implementation of a mental health awareness and education campaign. The grant has the opportunity to be renewed for two years, for a total of $150,000.
"If we can reach people, especially men, before they reach a mental health crisis, we can save lives," Mooney said.
CDC grant to go toward continued COVID-19 response
While the national COVID-19 public health emergency came to an end in May, it "does not mean the virus is no longer a threat" and remains a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
In addition, health departments around the country are working to recover from the impact of the pandemic. A $774,110.10 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through MDHSS will help SGCHD in those efforts.
More: The COVID-19 public health emergency ends May 11. Here's what Missourians should know.
"As the department places its effort back into activities like core public health services and addressing priority health issues like mental health, this funding will help to make sure that we are effective in these endeavors," Mooney said.
The funds will cover expenses from October 2022 through June 2024. The money will be used to "train and sustain personnel to respond to COVID-19-derived public health priorities," including support for vaccines, improve public health and data systems, training and administration.
The council voted to allow the health department to accept the grant.
Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield City Council hears grants on men's mental health, COVID-19
