March 29, 2024

Feds give money to state for suicide prevention

DES MOINES (AP) — A federal agency has given a $440,000 grant to the Iowa Department of Public Health to pay for suicide prevention efforts.

The state announced Tuesday the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the three-year grant, which will be used to implement screening and assessment for suicide risk at public health-funded substance abuse treatment programs and some middle schools and high schools. The money also will pay for a social media campaign to reach youth as well as an effort to increase referrals of people for help with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues.

The health department says 381 Iowa residents committed suicide in 2012.

The agency will coordinate the grant with the Your Life Iowa program, which offers help and information about bullying and youth suicide prevention.