The new mental health hotline at 988, which will act as a 911 for suicidal people, is expected to open to muted applause on Saturday.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will change its number from 1-800-273-TALK to just 988 on Saturday as part of a larger endeavor to help people with mental health needs, including local services and facility care.
But while the Biden administration has presented the FCC's approval of 988 as a significant step toward an expansion of mental healthcare, not all states have prepared enough funding or human resources to accommodate the expected surge in calls.The change in phone numbers is part of a more significant effort to provide more thorough resources.
Iowa is a noteworthy example of the struggles that states could see in the near future. Iowa analysts estimated that 988 would cost the state $4.4 million, but state officials only allocated $3 million to local call centers, according to Iowa Public Radio. This left a significant gap in funding and an even larger staffing gap.
At least 1 in 3 of the calls to the lifeline made in May 2022 were sent to an out-of-state call center, according to HHS data. While these call centers are helpful and can provide services, they often lack critical insights into state-based resources that may be more useful.
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