988 One Year Later – Assessing Its Impact

988 One Year Later - Assessing Its Impact

National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Celebrates One-Year Anniversary with Increased Volume of Calls

The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has completed its first year of operation, and the early results are promising. The public has been increasingly reaching out to the hotline during times of darkness, as evidenced by the substantial increase in call volume. In May 2023, there were nearly 160,000 more crisis calls, chats, and texts compared to May 2022, just two months before 988’s activation on July 16.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the number of calls answered in May increased by 45%, chats answered increased by 52%, and texts answered increased by a staggering 938% when compared to the previous year. Overall, in the past year alone, 988 operators have responded to over 2.3 million calls and nearly 600,000 texts, demonstrating the vital role the hotline plays in crisis intervention.

Dr. Petros Levounis, president of the American Psychiatric Association, commended the effectiveness of 988, noting, “More and more people know about 988, and what’s truly great about it is when you call 988, you get a human being to talk with you, not a robot but a trained person who knows how to deal with crisis.”

However, despite these positive outcomes, experts believe that there is still work to be done to fully unleash the potential of 988 as a lifeline for those in need.

The Hotline Remains a Well-Kept Secret to Most Americans

A recent poll conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness reveals that approximately 82% of Americans are still unfamiliar with the existence of the 988 hotline. While awareness has increased, the data indicates that the level of familiarity is far from sufficient.

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NAMI CEO Daniel Gillison Jr. emphasized the urgent need to change this, stating, “If we collectively want to help people in crisis – and save lives – 988 cannot be the best-kept secret.”

Efforts are also underway to ensure that the 988 system is adequately prepared to handle any future surge in calls. It involves not only having enough staff but also establishing robust mental health clinics ready to receive referrals. The current long wait times in traditional programs across the country are disheartening to individuals experiencing a crisis, and an efficient referral system is essential in providing timely and appropriate care.

Expanding the Scope: From Suicide Prevention to Mental Health Crisis Intervention

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is an expansion of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which previously operated under a 10-digit phone number. The expansion aims to provide assistance not only to suicidal individuals but also to those facing mental health crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the mental health crisis, necessitating the broadening of services offered by the hotline. In 2021, more than 48,000 people died by suicide, a 36% increase from the previous year. The rising rates of suicide, especially among younger age groups, underscore the importance of proactive mental health support.

Mark Graham, the executive director of the Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care National Call Center, emphasized the significance of early intervention, stating, “If you help somebody when they’re struggling mental health-wise, then you’re getting ahead of it before they potentially get to that point of crisis.”

However, the same NAMI poll that highlighted the lack of familiarity with 988 also revealed widespread misconceptions about the hotline. Many respondents did not understand the diverse range of services it offers:

• 53% were unaware that the hotline connects callers with necessary services and support.
• 53% did not know that the hotline can de-escalate a suicidal situation.
• 64% were unaware that the hotline is available for those in drug or alcohol crises.

Furthermore, there were misconceptions regarding the potential consequences of reaching out to 988:

• 21% mistakenly believed that calling 988 always leads to hospitalization.
• 20% falsely thought that callers must disclose personal information to receive support.
• 14% wrongly believed that a call to 988 would result in someone physically showing up at their doorstep.

It is crucial to dispel these misconceptions and educate the public about the true nature and benefits of the hotline.

Challenges in Supporting Increased Call Volumes

With the surge in calls, concerns have been raised about the strain on crisis line staff. The demanding nature of their work, continuously answering crisis calls, takes a toll on their well-being. Adequate staffing is paramount to alleviate this burden, allowing for training and reducing caseloads to avoid burnout.

However, funding for the 988 hotline remains uncertain. Only six states have comprehensive laws securing funding for the hotline, leaving financial stability in question. Sustainable funding is crucial to maintain and expand the services provided by 988. Dr. Levounis emphasized the need for permanent funding, stating, “We’re delighted that the federal government funded the initial phase of the project, but we need staffing, and we need this to be something that lives in perpetuity.”

Additionally, mental health experts stress the importance of increased funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). These clinics serve as referrals for individuals in need of more comprehensive care beyond the scope of the 988 hotline. Although these clinics were established as part of a federal pilot project, their permanence has yet to be secured. Allocating more funding to CCBHCs is essential to ensure the continuity of care for individuals facing mental health challenges.

A Path Forward

Levounis acknowledged the obstacles faced in creating a reliable support system, stating, “It’s a matter of infrastructure, it’s a matter of workforce building, and we owe it to our people in need to supply these services.” Despite the challenges ahead, Mark Graham remains optimistic, drawing parallels to the evolution of the 911 emergency hotline. He urged proactive measures to address staffing concerns in preparation for a continued increase in hotline usage.

Building awareness and understanding of the 988 hotline will be pivotal. Efforts must be made to combat the lack of familiarity and debunk misconceptions. By ensuring sustainable funding and establishing a robust mental health care infrastructure, this lifeline can become a vital resource in preventing crises and providing much-needed support to individuals in distress.

Sources: – Dennis Thompson (HealthDay Reporter) – National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Has Overtaxing First Year – MedicineNet – 17 Everyday Ways to Ease Depression Slideshow

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