May is mental health month and it’s especially important to recognize and assist those around us who are struggling right now.
Concerns about the virus are impacting people's lives and sense of well-being. The CDC reports that stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:
Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones Changes in sleep or eating patterns Difficulty sleeping or concentrating Worsening of chronic health problems Worsening of mental health conditions Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
In our Kansas City community, we are seeing an increase in crime, particularly domestic violence and domestic disturbances.
If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, PLEASE REACH OUT:
*Call 911 if the situation is potentially life-threatening
*National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 or Chat Online
*Submit anonymous information on felony crimes at
*Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
*Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Information provided by Dawn Morris, Community Mental Health Liaison, Mid-America Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention Team (MACIT) Council
The Crime Stoppers P3 Tips hotline is credited with saving the lives of fifteen young people in local schools. Through the Scholastic Crime Stoppers program, which allows students to anonymously share information without fear of retribution, students have saved the lives of 15 of their classmates by submitting TIPS which allowed emergency intervention in 15 suicide attempts.
The P3 platform enables the public to share information anonymously with Crime Stoppers programs, Law Enforcement entities, schools, and large corporations around the world. If you have crime or safety related information that may be deemed useful in your community, submit a tip via this web page – or download the P3 Tips App via the links on this page. Your anonymity is protected at all times. In many cases, your information may be eligible for a reward offered by a local program.