Publications

Temperature extremes contribute to suicide-related help-seeking through multiple pathways: Evidence from crisis hotline data (2019–2023).  Ryan, S. C., Sugg, M. M., Schwandt, V., Crespo, S., Lindzey, S., & Runkle, J. D. (2026). PLOS Mental Health, 3(2), e0000501.

Using 11,684 crisis hotline contacts from Louisiana, this study examined how extreme temperatures influence suicide-related help-seeking. Suicide-related contacts increased substantially during periods of elevated nighttime temperatures, with the highest-risk days associated with a 166% increase in suicide-related help-seeking. Youth demonstrated heightened vulnerability, highlighting extreme heat as an emerging climate-related behavioral health risk.  Download article.

What Finally Makes Farmers Call: Help-Seeking Amid Compounding Stressors in Agricultural Mental Health.  Monrreal, A., Sugg, M. M., Ryan, S. C., Bigelow, J., & Runkle, J. D. (2026). Journal of Agromedicine, 0(0), 1–11.

This study examined more than 900 calls to the AgriStress Helpline to better understand mental health help-seeking among agricultural populations. Findings showed that agricultural crises were rarely driven by a single issue; instead, callers frequently described multiple interacting stressors involving health concerns, interpersonal relationships, financial pressures, and environmental challenges. The results highlight the cumulative nature of stress within agricultural communities and the need for integrated approaches to behavioral health support.  Download article.

Help-Seeking Patterns during Weather Events: 2-1-1 Service Calls among Service-Connected Unhoused Populations in Louisiana from 2014 to 2023.  Sugg, M. M., Ryan, S. C., Erb, M., Bigelow, J., Holbein, A., & Runkle, J. D. (2026).  Journal of Urban Health, 10.1007/s11524-025-01045-z

This study analyzed more than 20,000 2-1-1 service requests from unhoused individuals across southern Louisiana to understand how weather influences help-seeking behavior. Results demonstrated a U-shaped relationship between weather extremes and service utilization, with increased demand during both extreme heat and extreme cold. Immediate survival needs often superseded mental health concerns during active disasters, underscoring the importance of integrating behavioral health support within broader disaster response systems.  Download article. 

Temporal dynamics of teen crisis help-seeking following hurricanes: A structural topic model analysis.  Sugg, M. M., Ryan, S. C., Runkle, J. D., Reed, C. S., Dobbs, L., & Schwandt, V. (2026). PLOS Digital Health, 5(5), e0001393.  

This study analyzed 2,149 anonymized crisis text conversations from Louisiana youth between 2018 and 2023. Findings revealed a three-wave pattern of post-disaster help-seeking, beginning with resource-seeking needs immediately following hurricanes, followed by a peak in suicide-related concerns 61-90 days after landfall, and later interpersonal and abuse-related concerns emerging nearly a year after exposure. Results suggest that youth mental health needs evolve over time and that current disaster response frameworks may overlook critical intervention windows.  Download article.

Assessment of Community Needs in Southeast Louisiana.  Mumford, S., Shanableh, T., Holbein, A. (2022)

This report analyzes ten years of 211 data to identify trends in the types of services callers requested, callers’ demographics, and unmet needs.  Download report.