This indicator provides a clear call to action around this critical priority to support the mental and emotional health of children and youth. While the overall number and percentage of emergency department visits related to suicidal ideation is highest among adults, analyzing the data as a percentage of visits disaggregated by age group shows that the most significant rate of increase in these visits is among children and youth ages 10-14 and 15-17.

We received consistent feedback from partners and community members related to the mental and emotional health of children and youth, particularly the negative impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic had on schools, supports, and resources.

Progress in this area relies upon many partners, including community organizations that are directly providing services, addressing problems before they become a crisis and result in suicidal ideation, especially for children and youth. These include The Cognitive Connection, Catawba Valley Healthcare and Kintegra Health, which is offering services both in their healthcare offices and in the school setting.

Addressing problems early, before they become a crisis, can result in less suicidal ideation and attempts. 

Catawba County Public Health facilitates a workgroup that is focused on Brain Health. Workgroup strategies include: 

• Alignment with current Opioid Response Coordination, work to address and prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and promote Resiliency efforts
• Learning and partnership surrounding trauma-informed approaches and building resilient communities
• Brain health messaging to reduce stigma surrounding seeking out services.

Actions taken so far include:

• Applying for the Strengthening Systems for NC Children (SYNC) grant: A systems thinking approach to identifying key facilitators and barriers to address risk factors and promote protective factors 
• Offering screenings of the "Resilience" documentary to provide a baseline knowledge of ACEs and what can help children overcome stressors
• Organizing training surrounding the often unspoken long-term wounds of adversity and trauma through Crossnore's Center for Trauma Resilient Communities
• Exploring the potential use of a community-wide online platform that would provide individuals with linkage to assessments, self-care, articles and other tools to help them address their brain health needs without stigma and linkage to in-person services with local providers.