 Friday, September 27, 2024
Public Health and Wellness rolls out 988 campaign during National Suicide Prevention Month
 The advertising campaign for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline appears on both the interior and exterior of TARC buses.
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is working to raise awareness about suicide prevention and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline during National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond.
Anyone in the U.S. can connect with compassionate counselors, specializing in suicide prevention, mental health and substance use by calling or texting 988. This service is available for individuals seeking help for themselves or a loved one. In Kentucky, there are 13 call centers that assist in answering calls for help, including Seven Counties Services. The 988 service is open 24/7, 365 days a year free-of-charge. The Lifeline provides services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages. When calling, individuals may press “1” to be connected to a sub-network specifically for Veterans or “2” for Spanish speakers.
According to ky988data.org, more than 48,000 988 calls, texts and chats have originated from Kentucky over the past year.
Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan, LMPHW recently allocated $55,000 to promote 988 on TARC buses, in Spanish media publications, TV segments and on social media platforms.
LMPHW has also been educating the public about the work of Jefferson County’s Suicide Fatality Review Workgroup, which has been analyzing suicide fatality data to understand trends that can help strengthen suicide prevention strategies across the community.
You can learn more about the Suicide Fatality Review Workgroup and what 988 callers can expect by watching the segments below that aired on WAVE Listens LIVE! last week.
WAVE Listens LIVE - 988
WAVE Listens LIVE – Suicide Fatality Review Workgroup
More information about 988 can be found at 988.ky.gov. You can find additional mental health resources on our Community Mental Health Services page on louisvilleky.gov.
Louisville Metro Board of Health Chair recognized during National Hispanic Heritage Month
for making history
Dr. Patricia Bautista-Cervera is making history as the first Latina chair of the Louisville Metro Board of Health. She was elected as the Board of Health Chair in July, after serving as vice chair.
“During the pandemic, it became clear that we are all part of a community and that if one of us isn’t okay we all feel the negative effects and that we must work together to stay healthy,” said Dr. Bautista-Cervera. “I am so thrilled to be taking on this new role which represents not just a huge responsibility, but also an enormous opportunity to promote health and disease prevention in the community by working closely with a diverse group of individuals and organizations.”
Dr. Bautista-Cervera began serving on the Board of Health in July 2022 as co-chair of the Immunizations Advocacy Committee. In her previous role, she worked to improve population health and health literacy within the Louisville Metro community. She was also commissioned as a member of the Health Disparity and Equity Technical Advisory Committee of the Commonwealth of Kentucky by Governor Andy Beshear.
Dr. Bautista-Cervera is a passionate advocate for immunizations and health equity. She played a major role in collaborating in the establishment and promotion of culturally informed vaccination clinics and campaigns for the Latinx and other migrant communities.
Since 2019, she has been working with La Casita Center, a unique organization in Kentucky that enhances the well-being of Louisville’s Latinx community through education, empowerment, advocacy and wellness. Her role with the organization, as a Health Empowerment Coordinator, includes health education and disease prevention.
Additionally, she has served as a Community Advisory Board Member of the University of Louisville Superfund Research Center’s Community Engagement Core since 2019. She also serves on the board of the People Against Trafficking Humans Coalition of Kentucky.
Dr. Bautista-Cervera was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She received her medical degree from the National Autonomous University (UNAM) School of Medicine in Mexico and was trained as a pediatrician and trained in pediatric allergy at the National Institute of Pediatrics (INP) in Mexico City. Her journey to Louisville took place in 1994, when she accompanied her husband, a pediatric oncologist, to be trained in bone marrow transplant.
In 2018, Dr. Bautista-Cervera earned a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion from the University of Louisville.
“Louisville is my home. As an immigrant, Louisville welcomed my husband and me and has been where we raised our family. I am deeply intertwined with the people and the community here, and so, when something affects Louisville, I feel it too,” said Dr. Bautista-Cervera. “Once, while seeing a patient, I realized that what I love about being a physician is having the opportunity to share the observations I make and my knowledge on how to prevent sickness and how to fight it off if you do get sick. It is an honor to now serve as the chair of the Louisville Metro Board of Health, and I look forward to continuing to work in collaboration with members of my community to keep Louisville healthy.”
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Workshop helps you learn how
to help someone navigate grief
 No matter what loss you've experienced, there is no correct or incorrect method of grieving. However, by familiarizing yourself with the different types and stages of grief, you can discover more constructive ways to manage your emotions. Our Moving Through the Grief Training that will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Antioch Baptist Church, 3315 Dixie Highway, will help you help someone move through the grieving process.
Trauma Resilient Communities Project Manager Nannette Dix will lead the discussion on how to understand grief reactions, communication skills, cultural sensitivity, self-care, support techniques, professional boundaries, and continuing education.
To register, please contact, Jackie Love at Jackie.Love@louisvilleky.gov
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