Behavioral Health

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is launching a new marketing campaign aimed at raising awareness, destigmatizing the need for mental health treatment and services, and increasing Louisiana 988 usage statewide.

Since launch, call volume for 988 has increased by 11%, and the in-state answer rate rose from 64% in June 2022 to a rate ranging from 85% to 91% over the last year.

It is critical that Louisiana residents be aware that fentanyl-laced pills are being marketed online and on social media.

This May, observed annually as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Louisiana Department of Health is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline is available 24/7 to anyone in mental health distress or who may be worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 crisis counselors are trained to help reduce the intensity of a situation for the person seeking help and connect them to additional local resources, as needed, to support their wellbeing.

Now in its 20th year, Problem Gambling Awareness Month coincides with March Madness as an opportunity to raise awareness of problem gambling.

These initiatives, titled Services from the Start: Providing Behavioral Health Support for Louisiana Families, focus on improved access to early childhood, adolescent and family behavioral health services.