Independence Tackles Teen Suicide with New Mental Health Resource Guide

Independence has a higher suicide rate than Kansas City, Eastern Jackson County and the state of Missouri.

"I need help for my son. I don't know how to help him."

"My daughter is suffering. Where can we go?"

These are just a few of the urgent questions the Independence Health Department hears every week.

"These concerns are all too common," said Christina Heinen, director of the Independence Health Department. "We've received hundreds of calls from individuals who need mental health support."

These are complicated problems that deserve clear, accessible answers.

To address this growing crisis, the Independence Mental Health Task Force (IMHTF) was established in 2022. Its mission is to reduce teen suicide and improve the mental health of young people in the community.

The task force includes 38 members representing 21 local agencies and meets twice a month. One of the biggest challenges the group identified is the lack of timely access to care and a general lack of awareness about available resources.

To bridge that gap, the task force developed a comprehensive mental health resource guide over the past year. The guide is available in multiple formats-including handouts, QR codes, an interactive webpage and a 14-page digital document-to ensure it's easy to find and use.

"We are dedicated to decreasing suicide in Independence and eliminating barriers to access," said Halie Smith-Griffin, a public health specialist. "We believe the resource guide is a great first step in that direction."

Printed copies of the guide are available through task force member organizations, including the Independence Health Department, Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Community Services League, Child Abuse Prevention Association, Fort Osage School District and Jackson County Public Health, among others.

The digital guide can be accessed online at independencemo.gov/behavioral-health.