{"id":26649,"date":"2022-07-26T20:37:03","date_gmt":"2022-07-27T00:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=26649"},"modified":"2022-07-26T20:37:05","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T00:37:05","slug":"cronkite-news-mental-health-hotline-now-taking-calls-at-988","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/07\/26\/cronkite-news-mental-health-hotline-now-taking-calls-at-988\/","title":{"rendered":"Cronkite News: Mental health hotline now taking calls at 988"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 988 mental health hotline goes live July 16, providing an easy-to-remember and faster way to get help during a crisis. (Video by Connor Cox\/Cronkite News)<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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Cronkite News Video by Connor Cox: 988 Hotline<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n
More than a hotline: 988 meant to ease access to mental health services<\/div>\r\n
Tuesday, July 26, 2022<\/div>\r\n
By Alexandra Conforti<\/div>\r\n
Cronkite News<\/DIV>\r\n
cronkitenews.azpbs.org<\/A><\/DIV>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nPHOENIX, Arizona — Mental health emergencies in the United States haven’t gotten the attention and support they require, resulting in increased suicide rates<\/a> over past decades, particularly among teens, young adults and people of color.

<\/P>\r\nEnter 988 \u2013 the federally mandated dialing code used to connect those in need to 24\/7 suicide prevention services. A call or text to the number links individuals with trained counselors who are part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline<\/a> network.

<\/P>\r\nThe Federal Communications Commission requires phone providers to make 988 accessible by July 16. The Lifeline network\u2019s number (1-800-273-8255) will remain in operation, but the idea is to provide an easy-to-remember and faster way to get help.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThe 988 lifeline \u2026 will help thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day, and it will serve as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who could help,\u201d Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said at a pre-rollout forum in May.

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The map above shows which U.S. states have implemented legislation related to the 988 suicide hotline. Some states are appropriating tax dollars or adding telecommunications fees to pay for services. For more details, visit reimaginecrisis.org\/map<\/a>. Screenshot from National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS, is responsible for launching 988 in the state. An advisory committee<\/a> has been assembled to guide implementation and ensure the new system meets the needs of Arizonans.

<\/P>\r\nLast year, the state received a $135,000 award for planning; an additional $1.9 million grant<\/a> will help the state recruit, hire and train additional 988 counselors.

<\/P>\r\nOne goal of the new hotline is to reduce interactions between those experiencing a mental health crisis and police, who often are dispatched to handle such situations. A study<\/a> this year by the Vera Institute of Justice examined 911 calls in nine U.S. cities, including Tucson, and found about 19% involved behavioral health situations.

<\/P>\r\nIf trained properly, 911 dispatchers could transfer crisis calls to 988. Callers then would be connected to counselors who can provide support and resources, such as access to mobile mental health crisis teams, outpatient follow-up care, therapeutic interventions and more.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cMental health professionals are there from beginning to end,\u201d said Benjamin Miller, president of Well Being Trust<\/a>, a national foundation working to advance the mental, social and spiritual health of individuals. \u201cThat\u2019s a totally different process than what happens when you call 911.\u201d

<\/P>\r\nResearch shows<\/a> that people with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cIdeally, the person answering the phone (via 988) is trained to handle mental health crises,\u201d Miller said. \u201cThey know what to say to de-escalate, they know what to say to calm and what to say to help the individual figure out what their next steps might be.\u201d

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988 is coming on Saturday, July 16. Learn more at https:\/\/t.co\/DLVdXH8BUW. American Indians and Alaska Natives who need immediate help can also text “NATIVE” to 741741 to connect directly to a trained, culturally-aware, crisis counselor, 24\/7. #NativeHealth #IndianCountry<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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<\/P>\r\nThe National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which covers the nation with a network of more than 200 crisis centers, has received over 20 million<\/a> calls since 2005. In 2020, the last year for which data are available, almost 43,000<\/a> of the 2.4 million calls were from people in Arizona. Calls to Lifeline from the state have increased 86% since 2016.

<\/P>\r\nFederal officials predict that 988 could receive up to 7.6 million calls<\/a> in the first year \u2013 requiring $560 million in funding to expand local and state call centers and increase training.

<\/P>\r\nBut longer-term funding remains a question.

<\/P>\r\nSo far, 21 states have enacted legislation related to 988, with several appropriating tax dollars or adding telecommunications fees to pay for services, according to the nonpartisan National Academy for State Health Policy.

<\/P>\r\nThere has been no proposed telecom fee in Arizona, however, and no increase in state funding to support the 988 hotline, according to AHCCCS spokeswoman Heidi Capriotti, who said the agency will further develop financial sustainability plans as 988 evolves.

<\/P>\r\nExperts say more states need to take action to secure funding for years to come.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cIf we want 988 to live up to its potential, it needs to be properly funded in every state,\u201d said Molly Candon, a health economist at the University of Pennsylvania.

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