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Like 911 for emergencies, in July, the US gets a new hotline for mental health emergencies, which will put callers in touch with people more suited to deal with mental health than the police. Americans can dial 988.
In July, 2022, the United States will activate a new hotline dedicated to mental health emergencies. Americans can call three digits: 988. The hotline is intended for mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, erratic behavior, addiction, or someone at risk of hurting themselves or others, and much more.
The new line was created by a law passed on October 17, 2020, which converts the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from 10 digits down to three, Slate reported.
Federal health officials are hoping to provide better and safer crisis services than those available in the past. The new 988 lines have prompted some communities across the US to improve their local healthcare systems, create new treatment centers and programs to send patients, and add additional staff.
The line is established as an alternative to calling 911, where police or other first responders often misunderstand mental health issues. Some 911 responses have resulted in dangerous situations, including the person suffering from a mental crisis being killed by police.
It is estimated that some 30 million Americans go without mental health treatment.
Another advantage of the 988 line is focusing on treatment for those who call in. Many people, especially those with addiction issues, are reluctant or refuse to call 911 in a crisis out of fear they’ll be arrested. Because of this, far too often, some choose to attempt suicide rather than get the help they need.
The highest ambition of the new 988 number is to get people the help they need in the moments they need them, with a focus on healthcare programs.
Right now, most people with a mental health crisis who call 911 end up in a hospital or in jail. The program is seeking to change that.
Even though Congress created the 988 line, it did not fund it. Although some money has been allocated by the Biden administration, initially, at least, it will be up to states, cities, and counties to fund the program. Researchers and advocates expect the 988 rollouts to be bumpy.
Currently, the 988 system will be staffed by local counselors in more than 180 call centers nationwide. However, it’s anticipated that the volume of calls could triple from 3 million calls and texts to the current suicide lifeline, to as high as 12 million beginning in July when 988, according to federal health officials.
