Molly Boeckmann

The strategic directions document for the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) outlines the department's mission, vision, values, and guiding principles for the next five years. The new mission is serving, empowering, and supporting Missourians to live their best lives. The new vision is Missourians are safe, valued, and supported community members. DMH is committed to fostering safe environments, upholding personal dignity, adopting evidence-based practices, and using data to inform decisions and policies.

The Missouri Suicide Prevention Plan (MSPP) 2024-2028 aims to reduce suicide rates in Missouri by raising public awareness, supporting community-led prevention efforts, and partnering with diverse groups to create effective programs and policies. The plan addresses the disproportionate impact of suicide on specific demographics, including veterans, rural residents, older adults, LGBTQ+ communities, and people of color. Key strategies include providing training, promoting the 988 lifeline, and distributing culturally relevant resources. The plan emphasizes collaboration among communities, organizations, and stakeholders to achieve a statewide reduction in suicide.

The meeting focused on reviewing the phase one process for transition and discussing the phase two process, which concerns early childhood and early intervention. Key discussion points included recommendations for the development of a centralized state-supported autism and disability resource repository; a multi-departmental effort to increase public awareness of transition services, starting in middle school years and emphasizing transition to adulthood or post-secondary education; state grant support to fund family navigation personnel and systems; and the need to differentiate family navigators from existing case managers.