New group helping people struggling with mental health and addiction issues

TAMPA, Fla. – If you’ve been looking for a mental health therapist recently, you’ve probably encountered a shortage. But the need for mental health support is increasing nationally.

“What is very worrying is the fact that suicide rates among young people are increasing every year. There has been a very big leap between 2007 and 2018,” says Andrea Boffice, learning and content development specialist at Mental Health Partnerships.

She continued, “I think something between 40% and 50%, depending on which state. But most states are seeing a very rapid increase in suicide deaths among young adults.”

In addition to rising suicide rates, Boffice says suicidal thoughts and behaviors are also increasing in certain groups.

“So by race, Indigenous youth have consistently had the highest rates of suicide deaths. But a newer trend is that among black young adults, suicide mortality rates are also rising the fastest among those groups,” Boffice explains.

And there is another group where the number of suicides is increasing.

“It is consistent that LGBTQ youth are more likely to engage in suicidal behavior and thoughts than cisgender or heterosexual youth, and that trend unfortunately remains consistent,” Boffice said.

As the demand for mental health therapists increases, Boffice is now training others to become ‘Certified Peer Specialists’ and ‘Certified Recovery Peer Specialists’.

“Peer counselors who provide one-on-one support to people going through their recovery journey, and anyone who is a peer is themselves, someone with a mental health or substance use challenge,” Boffice explains.

She continued: “So we train those individuals with the lived experience to support others who are also going through their recovery journey.”

It is often easier to confide in a fellow specialist than to talk to a doctor.

“Sitting with someone and knowing that you are not alone in what you are going through and that the person sitting in front of you really understands. And they’ve been through it, and they offer that hope, and that example: sitting in front of you is incredibly powerful,” Boffice said.

Even in prisons, government grants are being offered for non-clinical roles in suicide prevention training for staff due to the increase in suicides.

“Young adults who are incarcerated, especially for the first time, have significantly higher suicide rates and a significantly higher risk of suicide than young adults who do not interact with the juvenile justice system,” Boffice explains.

If you know someone struggling with thoughts of suicide, Boffice said, know that they need support from family and friends.

“They are listened to without judgment or fear and accepted and not judged because of their suicidal thoughts,” says Boffice.

If you would like a “Certified Peer SpecialistThe only requirement is that you have experienced a mental health or addiction problem.

If you are in crisis, call 988 for immediate help or call 911.