BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Children's Psychiatry Clinic at Oishei Children's Hospital will receive nearly $3 million for their suicide prevention program.
The money was funded by the the New York State Office of Mental Health Connecting Youth to Mental Health Supports – Suicide Prevention Program (CYMHS-SP).
According to Kaleida Health, pediatric suicidal ideation has increased from 16% to 20% in New York State from 2011 to 2021.
The funding will be used to address the need for mental and behavioral health screening and follow up programs for children and adolescents in Western New York.
"This grant will be transformative for the pediatric mental and behavioral health services we offer here at OCH," said Dori Marshall, MD, Chief Medical Officer at OCH in a release. "Not only will we be able to expand our current screening processes, but we'll also be opening up brand new avenues of outreach and expanding access across our region."
All patients at Oishei Children's Hospital are screened for suicide risk, regardless of why they are at the hospital. If a child or adolescent shows results in the medium or high-risk category, they will have a consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist. In the past, if they showed they were low or no risk, there was no consult or follow-up. Now, with the new funding, Connecting Youth to Mental Health Supports – Suicide Prevention Program will have a licenses master social worker or peer advocate for anyone screening low or no risk.
The grant will also be used to expand Oishei's prevention screening by partnering with community organizations.
“We are thrilled to have received the suicide prevention grant from the Office of Mental Health,” said Chelsey McCabe, PhD, manager of the Children’s Psychiatry Clinic at OCH. ”This funding will be critical as we increase our preventions efforts and continue to support youth mental health, especially as we work with community partners in historically underserved populations that are more likely to experience poor mental health outcomes.”
If you or someone you know is experience suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, help is available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7, is free and provides confidential support.
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