News Releases

 April 13, 2020 (Jackson, Miss.) – A federal grant is allowing the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Mississippi State University (MSU) to offer training focused on youth suicide prevention, and crucially making it available online to be accessed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since last year, The Alliance Project training has taught […]

March 23, 2020 (Jackson, Miss.) – The ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus is a challenging time for many, but the Mississippi Department of Mental Health is encouraging Mississippians to learn about how they can cope with the stress and anxiety that is a natural response to these difficulties. Fear, stress, and anxiety may be […]

March 20, 2020 (Jackson, MS) – Mississippi Department of Mental Health programs began limiting visitation last week as the first signs of COVID-19 began appearing in the state and will continue to do so in order to protect the health of the people served through our hospitals, nursing homes, regional facilities for people with intellectual […]

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health takes the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus seriously. Our mission is to support a better tomorrow in the lives of Mississippians, and that means protecting their physical health as well. To maintain the health and safety of all Mississippians, our DMH programs began limiting visitation as the first signs […]

The Department of Mental Health is offering for public comment a proposed draft of the 2020 Operational Standards For Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Community Service Providers.  The proposed draft will be effective on April 1, 2020.  To offer feedback on these revisions, please email feedback@dmh.ms.gov.  Feedback will be accepted until October 11, […]

September 6, 2019 – DMH was notified this week that Judge Carlton Reeves found the State is violating Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but he did not order a specific remedy. In finding the State in violation, the Court recognized the efforts that have been made toward expanding community-based care.  According to […]

July 26, 2019 (Jackson, Miss.) – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention grant, a five-year collaboration between DMH, Mississippi State University and Region 8 Mental Health Services. The Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention grant (MS […]

May 23, 2019 (Jackson, Miss) – May is recognized around the world as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on mental health, learn about the steps everyone can take to stay mentally healthy, and to remind everyone that recovery from mental illness is possible. This month, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health is partnering […]

May 23, 2019 (Jackson, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is currently offering Youth Mental Health First Aid Training through a federal grant available through the next three years.  The training is available for parents, educators, families, and other professionals who regularly interact with young people how to help a young person who may […]

April 18, 2019 – The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is announcing a series of Youth Mental Health First Aid training dates scheduled throughout Mississippi during the summer 2019 months. Youth Mental Health First Aid is an 8 hour training, designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human […]

March is recognized around the country each year as National Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month. DMH is recognizing this event with “Celebrating Mississippians,” a continuation of an awareness campaign that began last year and recognized the unique contributions people with disabilities make to their communities. Throughout the month of March, the campaign will celebrate […]

A multi-disciplinary group gathered recently at the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Central Office to become certified as instructors in Youth Mental Health First Aid. As instructors, they will be training hopefully hundreds of Mississippi teachers, school employees, and school resource officers in the Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum throughout the next three years. […]

The Department of Mental Health is launching a renewed suicide prevention campaign, encouraging young people throughout the state to reach out if they are experiencing thoughts of suicide. “Shatter the Silence” is a campaign of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health to encourage young people to talk through their feelings with friends and trusted adults, […]

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) consolidated budget includes all budget units under DMH. DMH is requesting an increase of $6,453,751 for Fiscal Year 2020.  This request includes: Restoration of the Legislative Budget Recommendation to FY19 level ($2,128,820) PERS employer contribution increase ($1,824,931) Expansion for mental health community-based services ($1,000,000) Expansion for the Medicaid […]

The MH/IDD Council is pleased to announce registration for the 35th Annual MH/IDD Joint Conference is now live. This year’s conference is scheduled for October 24 – 26 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, MS. The theme is “Best Practice, Better Future.” Conference Registration can be made online by clicking here.   Space is limited, so please […]

The Department of Mental Health has released its Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report, covering activities of the agency from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. The report provides an overview of the services offered at DMH behavioral health programs, DMH intellectual/developmental disability regional programs, alcohol and drug services, and more. Highlights from FY18 include: […]

The Mississippi Suicide Prevention Plan Workgroup was formed in April 2016 to finalize the state’s efforts in developing a formal plan to help combat a public health issue that affects people of all ages, races, and gender – suicide. Mississippi’s State Suicide Prevention Plan was released in September 2016. The three-year plan was divided into […]

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) is preparing for the impact of Tropical Storm Gordon on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Four DMH programs are located in the southern portion of the state – South Mississippi State Hospital in Purvis, Ellisville State School in Ellisville, Specialized Treatment Facility in Gulfport, and South Mississippi Regional Center […]

Registration is now available for the 2018 Trauma Informed Care Conference, scheduled for September 18 through September 21. To register, click on the following link: 2018 Trauma Conference Registration The first day of this four-day conference will focus on Law Enforcement and First Responders. Topics will include Building Resiliency: Surviving Secondary Trauma; Partnering with Local Community […]

Join DMH on September 17, 2018 at 1 p.m. for a showing of “Suicide: The Ripple Effect,” a feature length documentary film and movement, focusing on the devastating effects of suicide and the tremendous positive ripple effects of advocacy, inspiration, and hope that are helping millions heal and stay alive. The film highlights the journey […]