Since the national launch of 988 in 2022, the Missouri 988 team has taken a proactive approach to awareness and education efforts for one of the largest suicide prevention resources available, 988. The Missouri Department of Mental Health launched a statewide 988 awareness campaign to increase awareness and education of 988 throughout Missouri, highlighting 988 as a significant resource for anyone struggling. To ensure 988 messaging and marketing efforts were reaching and resonating with Missourians, the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) partnered with the Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH) to conduct messaging evaluation efforts. Through surveys and focus groups to measure awareness, knowledge, and use of 988, as well as discussions with various communities across Missouri, DMH and MIMH learned valuable insights into what Missourians know and think about 988 and what one group in particular is doing to promote 988 in the St. Louis area.
This webinar explored the progress made in spreading awareness and educating Missourians on 988, reviewed evaluation findings, and discussed how a passionate group of individuals works to saturate St. Louis with messages of hope and 988.
Presenters
- Casey Muckler, MPH, Crisis Services Coordinator, Missouri Department of Mental Health
- Kailey Reeves, Crisis Services Specialist, Missouri Department of Mental Health
- Liz Sale, PhD, Evaluation Director and Research Associate, Missouri Institute of Mental Health
