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988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline now operational nationwide

South Florida Sun Sentinel - 7/16/2022

A new national suicide and mental health number -- 988 -- went into effect after midnight Saturday, and the three-digit dialing code is expected to double the number of calls from a year ago, according to a government agency.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline replaces the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. However, the 10-digit number (800-273-8255) will remain operational.

The 988 Lifeline, comprised of a network of more than 200 state and local call centers that are available 24/7, accepts confidential calls, texts and chats (www.988lifeline.org) for situations aside from suicide. It also offers confidential support for those experiencing a mental health crisis or substance abuse crisis.

In 2021, the Lifeline got 3.6 million calls, chats and texts. That number is likely to double within the first full year of 988 being implemented, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

At least one mental health expert agrees with that assessment.

Paul Jaquith, CEO of Mental Health America, which has an office in Lauderhill and works with United Way of Broward County, recently started what it calls the LOSS team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) to help families struggling with the aftermath of suicides.

Jaquith agreed the 988 number is a big benefit to callers.

"Most people, the fact that they're picking up the phone to call someone would indicate there's some sense they need to talk to someone," he said. "For a lot of people, that's what they need, the opportunity to speak to someone, kind of work through some of it and then get them connected to services as quickly as possible."

Suicide hotlines are regarded as a valuable resource, and the 988 Lifeline should continue that opinion.

Studies show the No. 1 cause for suicide is untreated depression. And experts stress depression is treatable so those in need are urged to seek help.

"The emphasis is on suicide being preventable," said Stephen Roggenbaum, chair of the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, a statewide grassroots organization comprised of concerned citizens. "We know that calls to the crisis center, through research and studies, there's a decrease in anxiety levels and intent of people wanting to take their lives by the end of the phone calls.

"So we know the call centers are effective at reducing suicide risk. We know that people do call when they're in crisis and we anticipate this new number will make it easier for people to remember the number and call in crisis."

In 2020, the U.S. experienced one death by suicide every 11 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide was the second-leading cause of death for those between 10 and 14 years old, and 25 to 34 years old.

SAMHSA expects the system might have to be perfected after the initial rollout, but Xavier Becerra, secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services, said people in crisis can't wait.

"There is still much work to do," Becerra said. "But what matters is that we're launching, 988 will be live. We are looking to every governor and every state in the nation to do their part to make this a long-term success."

The Veterans Administration maintains the confidential Veterans Crisis Line, which can be accessed by dialing 988 and then pressing '1 .

Saturday's debut of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is regarded as the start of an effort that will continue growing.

"Over time, the vision for 988 is to have additional crisis services available in communities across the country, much the way emergency medical services work," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and leader of SAMHSA, in a news release.

"The success of 988 depends on our continued partnership with states, as the federal government cannot do this alone. We urge states and territories to join us and invest further in answering the call to transform our crisis care response nationwide."

But the first step is Saturday's debut of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and its anticipated increase in call volume.

"Because it's going to be such an easy number to remember," Roggenbaum said, "the call volume will increase substantially."

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