The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is now operational nationwide. Some of the phone counselors say they need help dealing with abusive callers who keep them on the line and sexually harass them.
The 3-digit suicide prevention lifeline went live a year ago. More work is needed on the 988 system, but the first year has gone more smoothly than many expected.
The 3-digit suicide and crisis lifeline – 988 – fielded nearly half a million more calls, texts and chats in its first 5 months than the old 10-digit Lifeline did during the same time in 2021.
The mid-July launch of a new three-digit national suicide prevention phone line has driven an increase in call volume in Georgia, with a disproportionate number of callers dialing in from rural counties.
In a mental health crisis, a conversation with an empathetic listener can be live-saving. But when someone needs in-person help, there's a shortage of resources in many parts of the country.
Black mental health advocates say Black families cannot depend on police to protect and help their mentally ill loved ones. 988 is the best hope to save Black lives.
Mental health advocates celebrated the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, but some people voiced concerns that using the service could lead to police involvement or forced hospitalization.
Just in time for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month comes a new national crisis help line: 988. Many mental health care advocates say this could be a literal lifeline for people of color who experience a mental health crisis.
Tuesday on Political Rewind: In their last session, Georgia legislators passed a bipartisan bill to improve access to mental health services. This past week saw further progress with the launch of the 988 phone line, an emergency mental health crisis line, part of a new national network.
Monday on Political Rewind: The Fulton County election probe issued letters to state Sen. Burt Jones and Georgia GOP chair David Shafer informing them that they could face criminal charges. House Speaker David Ralston was called to testify last week as Sen. Lindsey Graham looks to avoid the stand.
Calls to 988 will be answered by counselors trained in suicide prevention. Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities says the state has invested about $20.5 million in 988 related expenditures over the past 20 months.
