Mayor Rory Rowland | City of Independence
Mayor Rory Rowland | City of Independence
Independence, a city grappling with a higher suicide rate than Kansas City, Eastern Jackson County, and the state of Missouri, is taking steps to address this critical issue. The Independence Health Department regularly receives distressing calls from parents seeking help for their children.
“These concerns are all too common,” stated Christina Heinen, director of the Independence Health Department. “We’ve received hundreds of calls from individuals who need mental health support.”
In response to these challenges, the Independence Mental Health Task Force (IMHTF) was formed in 2022 with the aim of reducing teen suicide and improving youth mental health in the community. The task force consists of 38 members from 21 local agencies and meets twice monthly. A significant obstacle identified by the group is the lack of timely access to care and awareness about available resources.
To tackle this issue, the task force has developed a comprehensive mental health resource guide over the past year. This guide is accessible in various formats such as handouts, QR codes, an interactive webpage, and a 14-page digital document.
“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 can be obtained through member organizations like the Independence Health Department, Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Community Services League, Child Abuse Prevention Association, Fort Osage School District, and Jackson County Public Health. The digital version is available online at independencemo.gov/behavioral-health.
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