Starting July 16, people can call, text or chat 988 to connect with a trained counselor at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline crisis support center. The three-digit digital dialing code, which is the result of National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020designed to be easier to remember than the current number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and is a direct line for people experiencing any emotion, not just a suicide crisis.
Follow US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-14 and 25-34. Lifeline filled out more than 20 million calls since its establishment in 2005; however, according to the network of Report of precious goodsone in six calls to the crisis line is disconnected before they reach a counselor.
Hannah Collins, marketing and communications director of Vibrant Emotional Health, administrator of Lifeline, said: “It is remarkable that 80% of callers give up after waiting two minutes or less after greeting. “Of all calls marked as Ignored by Callers in 2021, 28% called back within 24 hours and were connected to a counselor,” says Collins.
Meanwhile, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which sponsors the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, cites a history of underfunding and underappreciation related to the availability of trained counselors as the reason. lead to long wait times and low response rates. As a result, the Biden-Harris administration has designated $282 million in investments to make $988 in 2021 and another $150 million announced in 2022, with $177 million in 2021 funds made available to Vibrant. At the local level, the new number promotion law allows states to deploy telecommunications fees to support 988 operations, as well as access subsidies and other mental health programs.
“These funds are currently being used to fund crisis centers within the Lifeline network, including the national backup network, chat and text networks, and Spanish subnets, as well as for outreach. continue to develop the infrastructure and services needed to support 988,” continued Collins. “These timely investments have resulted in a significant increase in the number of Lifeline calls, chats and messages being answered and responded to faster, even as volumes have increased.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free 24-hour crisis counseling and currently has a network of more than 200 crisis centers around the country. It is ramping up recruitment of volunteers and salaried staff to help increase the expected caller count. From June 2021 to June 2022, Lifeline saw a 13% increase in calls, a 148% increase in chats, and a 77% increase in messages. The network is also in the process of increasing the number of national backup centers it uses as local centers operate from nine in March to 17 at the end of August.
But Rachel Bhagwat, policy director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago, wonders if it will be enough.
“Here in Illinois, roughly 30% of calls are leaving before they are answered and that’s because of a long wait. That’s why we have to make sure we have the right funding and build the right infrastructure. That’s why NAMIs across the country – from our national branch to the local level – are promoting that grand vision of a comprehensive anti-crisis system,” said Bhagwat. “We are looking at what sustainable funding will look like? What will it be like to fill the gaps in the ongoing crisis and not only have creativity but also coordination. It’s not just about someone being willing to answer the phone. It’s about what happens next. “
After a caller dials or texts 988 or texts Lifeline on website, they will be connected to a trained crisis officer at their nearest Lifeline crisis center. The crisis officer will then listen to the caller and provide support and resources that may be helpful. Callers do not need to commit suicide when contacting Lifeline. This network is available to anyone who needs emotional support, cares for a loved one, and/or is experiencing a substance use crisis,
“Over the last few years we have seen an increase in people who are experiencing mental health emergencies, but also an increase in people willing to help with mental health emergencies,” says Bhagwat. their mental health. “The difficulty is we have a very confusing system and it’s really hard to know who to call when you’re going through a mental health crisis.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Designation Act of 2020 also requires the Departments of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs to work together to “develop a strategy to provide access to specialized services.” specifically, authority for high-risk populations such as lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and homosexual youth (LGBTQ); minority; and rural individuals. “
“We know that people from Black and brown communities and people from lower income communities are more likely to access mental health care through the police,” explains Bhagwat. , prisons and crisis systems because of the lack of community care and prevention services. . “We also know that people who have been marginalized in history or face other barriers are less likely to trust systems and have more fear about how interacting with those systems will look like. how”.
To help combat those barriers and fears, SAMHSA shared a broader vision for 988, regarding “a day when everyone across our country has someone to call, someone to call. response and a safe place for crisis care.”
Bhagwat said: “When it launches on July 16, there won’t be many immediate changes. “Work really needs to continue for many years to come, but this launch is a great first step to really re-imagine our mental health crisis system.”
