Nationwide 9-8-8 Hotline Connects Callers With Mental Health Crisis Counselors

In the past, most people in a mental health crisis would call the general 911 emergency line for help. Although the 911 system is convenient for deploying first responders, it can be an ineffective way to connect people to behavioral health services that do not always require a police response.  

Additionally, each year millions of Americans, including emergency responders, experience thoughts of suicide but do not call 911.

To better serve our country’s growing mental health needs, the Federal Communications Commission recently designated and transitioned to “9-8-8” as a nationwide mental health crisis and suicide prevention phone number. The new 988 dialing code directly connects callers to trained mental health crisis counselors and responders within the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network, creating a valuable opportunity to increase connections to accessible mental health crisis care.  

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is an easy-to-remember code for anyone experiencing a suicidal, mental health, or substance use related crisis. Since the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched on July 16, call centers have seen a 45% increase in use – primarily in people texting or sending messages seeking help – compared to last year, according to new data from the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Download the FCC “988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Fact Sheet” (pdf) 

People who call or text 988 will be connected to a crisis center near them. Lawmakers and mental health advocates also see this new hotline as an opportunity to transform the mental health care system, reduce confrontations with law enforcement, and make additional crisis care services easily available in communities across the United States. Cities and counties nationwide are building or expanding their own community responder programs to meet their local needs.

Law Enforcement-Mental Health Collaboration Support Center provides free resources, training 

The Law Enforcement-Mental Health Collaboration Support Center is administered by the Council of State Governments (CSG) and offers free training, resources, and support to communities wanting to improve their law enforcement and community response models to people with behavioral health conditions or intellectual and development disabilities. Learn more about the community responder models by checking out the CSG Justice Center’s Expanding First Response Toolkit. Additionally, the CSG has just released the Expanding First Response Assessment Tool, which will help communities determine where they are in planning, implementing, and sustaining community responder programs that position health professionals and community members trained in crisis response as first responders. The assessment tool provides valuable insight and practical information for law enforcement agencies exploring alternative responses to mental health related calls.

This resource is supported by a Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. Any state, locality, or federally recognized tribal government, as well as organizations such as non-profit behavioral health organizations, criminal justice agencies, and service providers, can request assistance from the Law Enforcement-Mental Health Support Center. 

Send your questions or comments to tstille@lmc.org or give me a call at (651) 215-4051.

Remember: Responder Safety = Public Safety

In the meantime, stay safe and be careful.

Tracy