Driving change through advocacy

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been at the forefront of mental health advocacy, implementing innovative programs and forging strategic partnerships to enhance support for individuals facing mental health challenges and suicidal crises. Here are some of the organization’s recent initiatives:

Advancing mental health crisis response

  • Implementation of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Didi Hirsch played a pivotal role in the rollout of the 988 Lifeline in California. In 2022, they signed a $20 million contract with the California Department of Health Care Services to support the implementation of this three-digit mental health crisis number. As the lead agency, Didi Hirsch coordinated with 12 other crisis centers across the state to handle over 270,000 calls annually, ensuring timely and effective support for individuals in crisis.
  • Integration with Mobile Crisis Response Teams: In collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Didi Hirsch connected their suicide prevention counselors to the county’s Help Line. This integration allows for the dispatch of mobile response teams composed of trained mental health professionals to assist individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in person, enhancing the county’s crisis response capabilities.

Youth mental health initiatives

  • Acquisition of Teen Line: In July 2022, Didi Hirsch acquired Teen Line, a peer-to-peer teen counseling hotline. This strategic move aimed to expand support services for adolescents, a demographic increasingly affected by mental health challenges. By integrating Teen Line’s services, Didi Hirsch enhanced its capacity to provide specialized support to teens through trained teen counselors and various communication platforms, including text and social media.

Public awareness and advocacy campaigns

  • “Mental Health Is Health” Month Proclamation: In April 2022, Didi Hirsch, in partnership with Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, officially proclaimed May as “Mental Health Is Health Month” in Los Angeles. The campaign aimed to promote mental health equity and parity, featuring ambassadors like singer Jhene Aiko and collaborations with organizations such as MTV Entertainment Group. The initiative included social media toolkits and community events to raise awareness and destigmatize mental health issues.
  • “What If It Gets Better?” Campaign: In collaboration with the advocacy organization Self-Care Is For Everyone, Didi Hirsch launched the “What If It Gets Better?” campaign in July 2022. The initiative featured a merchandise collection designed to raise awareness for the 988 Lifeline and encourage support for suicide prevention efforts. All proceeds from the campaign supported Didi Hirsch’s implementation of 988 services.

Policy advocacy and legislative efforts

  • Support for AB 988 – Miles Hall Lifeline Act: Didi Hirsch supported the co-sponsorship of AB 988, known as the Miles Hall Lifeline Act, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2021. The legislation aimed to designate 988 as the nationwide suicide prevention hotline number, streamlining access to mental health crisis support.
  • Opposition to AB 1250: In 2017, Didi Hirsch was part of a coalition that successfully opposed California Assembly Bill 1250. The bill would have imposed restrictions on county contracting with nonprofits and community-based organizations, potentially hindering the delivery of vital mental health services. The coalition’s efforts led to the bill being held in committee without further action.