News Releases

FY23 Adult Mental Health Services Data Report Now Available

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is committed to supporting the provision of an array of adult mental health services. Over the past several years, many adult mental health services and supports have been expanded and new ones implemented, including, but not limited to, the following: ✓ Mobile Crisis Response Teams ✓ Crisis Residential Services […]

Statement on Ruling of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

For more than a decade, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) has focused heavily on the availability of community services, including those services that provide intensive services in the community and divert people from the need for inpatient services at a state hospital. We continue to be dedicated to enhancing community services in Mississippi […]

DMH Seeks Input on CCBHC Planning Grant Community Needs Assessment

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is planning to expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in the state, and we need your input! A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) is a specially-designated clinic that provides a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services. CCBHCs serve anyone who walks through the door, regardless of […]

Combined Block Grant Application Now Available for Public Comment

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is offering for public comment a Combined Block Grant Application for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) block grants. SAMHSA oversees two major block grants: the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) and the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support Services Block Grant (SUBG). […]

Summer 2023 Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Dates for Educators Announced

DMH has announced a series of Youth Mental Health First Aid training dates for Mississippi educators taking place throughout summer 2023. Teachers, coaches, school resources officers, bus drivers, other school staff, caregivers and any others who regularly interact with youth – these trainings can help you identify common signs and symptoms of mental health and […]

Bureau of Behavioral Health Request for Funding Applications Now Available

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is now accepting applications for series of competitive grants made available through funding appropriated to the agency. Each Request for Funding Application (RFA) is available as a PDF linked below. Only DMH Certified Providers are eligible to apply for the posted RFA opportunities. General questions may be sent to […]

Postpartum Wellness Summit Scheduled for Thursday, May 4

Join DMH, the Mississippi Public Health Institute, and the Mississippi State Department of Health for the 2023 Postpartum Wellness Summit: Beyond the Baby Blues. Scheduled for Thursday, May 4, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., this event will be held at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, 1281 US-51 Madison, MS 39210. It is available at […]

Mississippi Selected for $1 Million Planning Grant to Implement Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics

Mississippi is one of 15 states that has received a $1 million Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) planning grant that aims to transform mental health and substance use treatment across the country by providing sustainable funding for robust community treatment services. A CCBHC is required to provide an array of behavioral health services and […]

Joint Mental Health/IDD Conference is October 25-27

Professionals serving in the public mental health system should mark their calendars for October 25-27, when the Annual MH/IDD Joint Conference returns to Natchez for three days of presentations and keynote speakers with the theme of “Beyond 2023: Shaping the Future.” Proposals for poster presentations and speaker presentations are currently being accepted. The deadline has […]

FY22 Suicide Prevention Plan Progress Report Now Available

The Mississippi Suicide Prevention Plan FY22 Progress Report is now available, providing updates on the work that has taken place from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The Suicide Prevention Workgroup includes members from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, the Mississippi Department of Education, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Community Mental Health […]

Suicide Prevention Month Ends, But Awareness Should Last All Year Long

The month of September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to recognize the warning signs and symptoms that indicate someone may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, and a time to spread the message of hope that things can and do get better and no one should hesitate to speak up and seek help for […]

FY22 Remedial Order Data Report Now Available

In September 2021, the Honorable Judge Carlton Reeves issued a Final Judgement and Remedial Order in the case of United States of America v. State of Mississippi (Cause No. 3:16-CV-622-CWR-FKB).  Paragraph 24 of the Remedial Order states that beginning with the end of Fiscal Year 2022, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) will post […]

988 Study Commission to meet August 30

The first meeting of the Study Commission on the 988 Comprehensive Behavioral Health Crisis Response System will be held Tuesday, August 30 at 10 a.m., as a virtual meeting conducted through GoToMeeting. The meeting will be publicly accessible through the following link: https://meet.goto.com/900890549. The Study Commission was created as a result of HB 732 during […]

Register now for the 2022 Trauma Informed Care Conference, September 21-23

Registration is now open for the annual Mississippi Trauma-Informed Care Conference. With the theme of “Finding Hope in a Never Ending Storm,” this year’s conference will be a virtual event with seven keynotes and 26 different breakout sessions, taking place September 21 – 23, 2022. Keynotes and breakout sessions will encourage new coping strategies and […]

6th Annual Mississippi Suicide Prevention Symposium is September 27-28

Save the date for September 27-28, when the sixth annual Mississippi Suicide Prevention Symposium will be held as a virtual event in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and the Mississippi State University Department of Psychology. Continuing education will be available. More details and registration information will be available soon at www.mississippisuicidepreventionsymposium.com. If […]

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Launches July 16

New Number a Major Step in Transforming Crisis Care On July 16, 2022,  the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will go live nationwide. In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. By calling or texting 988, or by chatting via the Lifeline website (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/), anyone […]

Board of Mental Health Names Leadership Roles for FY23

July 1, 2022 (Jackson, Miss.) – The Mississippi Board of Mental Health has named new leadership roles for the state fiscal year that began July 1, 2022. Dr. Sampat Shivangi of Ridgeland has been named Chair and Stewart Rutledge of Oxford has been named Vice Chair. Shivangi was first appointed to the Board in 2009 […]

Notice of final adoption for DMH MYPAC Rules

The public comment period for the proposed DMH Mississippi Youth Programs Around the Clock (MYPAC) rules expired at the close of business on January 10, 2022.  Public comment received was considered in the development of the final MYPAC rules. (Please refer to the link below for additional information.) With permission from the Mississippi State Board […]

DMH Releases FY21 Suicide Prevention Plan Progress Report

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) has released its FY21 Progress Report for the state’s Suicide Prevention Plan, a comprehensive document that lays out the goals and objectives the state is taking to fight death by suicide. The Suicide Prevention Plan includes three goals: Engage and empower Mississippians to help prevent suicide by increasing […]