Laredo public health reports surge in 988 calls and eyes SAMHSA grant worth up to $2M over five years
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Summary
Dr. Monique, the city’s community health administrator, reported an 82.1% increase in answered 988 calls and a 74.2% increase in total calls year‑over‑year (pending final counts). She also outlined a SAMHSA funding opportunity due April 20 that could provide up to $400,000 annually for suicide‑related systems work.
At the March 25 meeting, the City of Laredo’s community health staff reported a sharp year‑over‑year increase in 988 call volume and highlighted a federal grant opportunity.
Dr. Monique, who identified herself as community health administrator with the Republic Health Project, told the committee that preliminary 988 data show an 82.1% increase in answered calls and a 74.2% increase in overall calls compared with the prior year (counts pending final verification). She said Integral Care provided the 988 data on a voluntary basis and the department is assembling follow‑up reports for the committee.
Dr. Monique said members of the city’s delegation met SAMHSA leadership in Washington and discussed local initiatives. She said a competitive SAMHSA grant (application due April 20) could fund up to $400,000 per year for a project period of up to five years with a maximum award of $2,000,000. The grant is intended to support implementation of suicide‑related systems changes in health systems, including screening and evidence‑based follow‑up protocols, she said.
The committee also discussed outreach plans: mobile health unit deployments in April and May, using library branches to distribute 988 materials, hosting short recorded messages and PSAs on the city website and YouTube, and improving the city website’s navigation so 988 resources are easier to find. Committee members offered free materials (magnets, banners, PSAs) and volunteered to post content to a designated Facebook page or city channels to boost local awareness.
Chair Dr. Julian Vasan asked members and partner agencies to plan year‑round advocacy and suggested rotating outreach responsibilities among coalition partners. The committee reviewed upcoming events including a community 988 awareness gathering on March 28 and a planned May 6 noon 'lunch and learn' at Bartlett Park for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Dr. Monique said the health department recently moved the community mental‑health team into the public health division and assigned a new Puntos program supervisor to support community outreach. She provided QR codes and links for committee members to review grant details and outreach assets.
