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Minutes for HB2281 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Establishing and implementing 988 as the suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline in Kansas.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 22, 2021
Scott Abbott, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2281 to the committee.
Mr. Abbott responded to questions from the committee.
Andrew Brown, Commissioner of Behavioral Health Services, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), provided testimony in support of HB2281. It has been recommended by committees and task forces that KDADS should look into funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). KDADS has been working to develop suicide prevention infrastructure in the state that will support the implementation of 988 in Kansas and help prepare NSPL crisis centers for the transition to the new number. While waiting for federal approval of 988, KDADS did not receive funding for 988 in the governor's budget recommendations. KDADS has acquired a grant to assist in the planning implementation. The timeline for the planning project is to be completed by October. The final date for implementation of 988 is scheduled for July 2022. KDADS is expecting a significant increase in call volume to the current NSPL. KDADS has an expansion grant intended to help Kansas raise its in-state answer rate from approximately 60% to 80% by the end of the year.The answer rate was 72% in January so the goal is attainable. KDADS recently published the new 2020-2025 State Suicide Prevention Plan. A component of the plan is a robust crisis service delivery system that begins with 988. Included in the administration's budget for KDADS is $5 million SGF for Mobile Crisis Response Services. KDADS believes many of the NSPL crisis centers will require significant technical assistance and additional funding to be able to meet the increase in call volume. It is believed that it will take 6 months to prepare these centers and possibly recruit new call centers to achieve a 90% in-state answer rate for call originating in Kansas (Attachment 11).
Kyle Kessler, Executive Director, Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, provided testimony in support of HB2281 which established 988 as the suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline in Kansas. The statistics around suicide, especially youth suicide, are of a great concern. The association refers the rate of death by suicide as a public mental health crisis. Statistics show that the overall number of suicides dropped from 2018 to 2019, but suicide is the second leading cause of death of people aged 15-44. NSPL is a national network of local crisis centers providing support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The transition from a 10 digit number to 988 will make it easier for people to know the number in times of crisis (Attachment 12).
Monica Kurz, Vice President for External Programming, Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ, provided testimony in support of HB2281. The organization serves Kansas as a NSPL provider for all 105 counties, and the only one to do so in 105 counties in Kansas. Kansans need this service. While some callers feel better after the call, some need additional services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care recommends a continuum of crisis services, which often starts when someone calls the crisis line. The caring counselor should guide the caller to navigate the other services available. With the conversion to 988 it is estimated that the increase in calls could be between 300-800 percent. HB2281 will prepare the state for full implementation of 988 and associated crisis services. The bill will create a phone fee of $6 per year per line. This fee assists in mobile crisis response, crisis stabilization services, followup services from hospitals and costs for KDADS to assist local communities in coordinating services. Providing a consistent funding stream will allow Kansans to be assured that no matter what time of day, someone will be available to answer the call when someone is at risk (Attachment 13).
Dr. Sherrie Vaughn, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Health Kansas (NAMI), provide testimony in support of HB2281. National statistics notes that 1 in 5 persons is living with mental illness. More recent data suggests that 2 in 5 Kansans are living with mental illness. In 2019 the Mental Health Task Force indicated that 420,000 Kansans are affected by mental illness. Current conditions are expected to increase this number. It was noted that mental illness has an impact on the people associated with the person suffering from mental illness. In essence, 5 out 5 Kansans support loved ones experiencing mental illness. In many communities, people do not get the right services at the right time. 1 in 4 people killed by the police have mental illness. 2 million people booked into jail each year have mental illness. NAMI supports 3 key areas in an ideal crisis response system: 24/7 Crisis Call Centers, mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization centers. NAMI supports the creation of a 988 system (Attachment 14).
Daina Zolck, Director of Injury & Violence Prevention, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, provided testimony in support of HB2281. In 2019, 521 Kansans lost their lives to suicide, emotionally impacting the lives of families and friends. From 2015-2017, Kansas resident suicides cost an estimated $2.4 billion in medical expenses and lost wages. 46,837 years of potential life was lost if people die before age 75. Major similarities of suicide victims were a high school education or less, a resident of a frontier area, veterans, males working in agricultural related fields and female workers in health care. Having a NSPL can lead to early intervention, reduce emergency departments, hospital admissions and use of law enforcement. The ability to recall a three-digit number for mental health in a time of emergency will provide rapid access to intervention services which could mean the difference between life and death (Attachment 15).
Barb Mares, Area Director, Kansas Chapter, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, provided testimony in support of HB2281. While knowing that factors leading an individual to attempt suicide are complex, the impacts of Covid-19 such as social disconnection, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, loss, grief, access to physical and mental health are associated. Mental health and suicide prevention must be include in pandemic response initiatives. HB2281 will ensure a robust crisis response infrastructure. Connecting individuals with mental health services and resources is a vital component in suicide prevention. We all have a role in preventing suicides (Attachment 16).
Gerard Keegan, CTIA, noted in his comments supporting HB2281 that CTIA and its member companies support the designation of 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. CTIA members are committed to implementing network changes to ensure Americans can dial 988 in a crisis. CTIA and its members understand the importance of a workable state 988 funding framework. They look forward in working with the committee on language to address the allowable uses of the 988 fund. CTIA recommends the funds be tailored to fund equipment, communications and direct costs for crisis hotline center personnel for 988 call taking and appropriate call routing (Attachment 17).
Jeff Cardwell, a private citizen, provided a personal story about his 27 year old son who committed suicide and the impact on the family. The NSPL will save lives. Kansans must do their part to achieve this goal. $6 per year is a very small price to pay for the help individuals need. This is critical to all communities, both urban and rural. Mental health is becoming a vital and important part of our overall health. Having easier and more readily available help in a time of crisis is critical to save lives and give hope to those who are struggling (Attachment 18).
Kristin Bray, a private citizen, noted that a three-digit line to reach trained counselors when in the midst of a mental health crisis is crucial in order to prevent deaths. in 2020, the Lifeline received over 2.6 million calls, chats and texts. Ms. Bray noted that most impulsive individuals tend to be youths. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people 15-24. In her career, Ms. Bray has lost 7 former students to suicide and her child has had multiple attempts at suicide. In her experience, each adolescent was in acute crisis with no available resources to assist them. An easy to recall number could have helped, saving lives and our most precious resource, our young people (Attachment 19).
The conferees responded to questions from the committee.
The following provided written only testimony:
Ed Klumpp, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Peace Officers Association (Attachment 20)
Dr. Joy Koesten, Private Citizen (Attachment 21)
Theresa Papon, Private Citizen (Attachment 22)
Barb Helm, Executive Director, Arcare, Inc. (Attachment 23)
Dotty Hellman, Private Citizen (Attachment 24)
Dr. Shayla Sullivant, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (Attachment 25)
Katrina Miller, Private Citizen (Attachment 26)
Sheila Albers, Private Citizen (Attachment 27)
