Checking In At The Legislature: August & September 2022 Update

Friends and Neighbors, 

As a new school year has started, it’s important to help our children and loved ones have resources for mental health and help prevent suicides. I serve as the Chair of the Education and Mental Health Council. In this role, we work to improve mental health in our children from birth to 26. I also serve on the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Commission. This commission focuses on “receiving centers” throughout the state for those needing immediate crisis care. Utah has multiple resources for crisis, violence/safety, and suicide prevention. I hope the resources listed below will be helpful for you and those around you. 

The election is right around the corner. Thanks to SO MANY of you who helped me win the Primary election. Thank you for hosting my sign, for your support, and thank you for your VOTES!

-Melissa 

In this issue:

• Quick Links and Upcoming events
• Federal overreach on Utah’s public lands
• Suicide and crisis resources

Quick Links and Upcoming Events

• August interim meetings https://le.utah.gov/interim/2022/pdf/00003365.pdf
• Sept 15-16 Women Financial Empowerment Conference (see attached flyer) https://womeninthemoney.org
• Watch or listen to any past or live interim meetings here https://le.utah.gov/asp/interim/Main.asp?ComType=Int&Year=2022&List=2#Results
• October 13 Second Annual Great Salt Lake Summit Click here to register. For in-person or online viewing. 
• Help friends and family register to Vote before October 28. Check your status or register at vote.utah.gov.

Utah Monuments and Public Lands

Crisis, Safety, and Suicide

As the new school year begins, the safety of all Utah students is of the utmost importance. The SafeUT app is a resource for students, parents/guardians, and teachers. Last year, counselors responded to over 32,000 chats. From those chats, officials responded to about 314 potential school threats or acts of violence and 300 incidents involving life-saving interventions for students at risk of attempting suicide. Every student’s life in Utah is precious and should be protected. Click here to download the app. 

Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Crisis Hotlines

• Huntsman Mental Health Institute Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
• SafeUT Crisis Line: 833-372-3388
• 988 Suicide and Crisis LifeLine at 988
• LiveOnUtah.org
• Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386

Online resources

• NAMI Utah: namiut.org
• SafeUT: safeut.org
• SafeUT: on the apple and google app store
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Utah chapter: afsp.org/chapter/utah

Warning signs of suicide

• Talking about wanting to die
• Looking for a way to kill oneself
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings

The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes suicide.

• Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

What to do if you see warning signs of suicide

• Do not leave the person alone
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional

Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.