The 988 mental health and suicide prevention helpline has quickly expanded its reach in the six months since it launched
988 Call Center Director Jamieson Brill poses for a photo in front of a desk where work workers take calls around the clock at a facility in Hyattsville, Md., Oct. 7, 2022. Brill works in one of more than 200 call centers fanned out around the country tasked with answering an uptick in calls around the clock from people considering suicide or experiencing a mental health emergency. HYATTSVILLE, Md.
Brill works in one of more than 200 call centers fanned out around the country tasked with answering an uptick in calls day and night from people considering suicide or experiencing a mental health emergency., the 988 mental health helpline has quickly expanded its reach in the six months since it launched — raking in over 2 million calls, texts and chat messages.
The 988 helpline registered 154,585 more calls, texts and chat messages during November 2022 compared to the old national lifeline in November 2021, according to the latest data available. Calls show no signs of slowing into this year, with counselors answering 3,869 calls on New Year's Eve and the first day of 2023 — a 30 percent increase compared to the previous holiday. The Spanish language line saw an increase of 3,800 calls year over year from November 2021 to November 2022.In November, Washington became the first state to launch a mental health crisis line dedicated to American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Williams wants to add chat and text options next. She hopes Washington’s 988 line for Native Americans becomes a model for others. She’s already given presentations in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Montana and in Canada, which is set to launch its own national 988 this year.he $1.7 trillion end-of-the year spending packageStill, long-term funding for the 988 helpline is in jeopardy in some states, which have yet to figure out a permanent funding plan for it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
411 phone number is going out of service for millions of AmericansStarting in January, AT&T customers with digital landlines won't be able to dial 411 or 0 to reach an operator or get directory assistance. AT&T in 2021 ended operator services for wireless callers, although customers with home phone landlines can still access operators and directory help.
Read more »
Seattle schools sue tech giants including TikTok, Meta over youth mental health crisisSeattle Public Schools is suing social media companies including TikTok and Meta, saying the tech giants' 'misconduct has been a substantial factor in causing a youth mental health crisis.'
Read more »
Seattle Schools Sue Social Media Giants Over Students' Mental HealthSeattle Schools Sue TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube Over Students' Mental Health
Read more »
California Senate’s new health chair to prioritize mental health and homelessnessState Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman heads the Senate's health committee, where she will focus on expanding mental health services and moving homeless people into housing and treatment.
Read more »
Seattle's schools are suing tech giants for harming young people's mental healthThe public school district in Seattle has filed a novel lawsuit against TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat, seeking to hold them accountable for a mental health crisis among youth.
Read more »
Seattle schools sue tech giants over social media harmThe public school district in Seattle has filed a novel lawsuit against the tech giants behind TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat, seeking to hold them accountable for the mental health crisis among youth.
Read more »