North Carolina, like the rest of the nation, has been closely observing the effects of the newly introduced national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, operating under the easily-remembered number 988, for just over a year now. During this time frame, the state has witnessed a notable 31 percent surge in calls for mental health support.
Though the concept of a national crisis hotline is not novel, the replacement of the previous 10-digit number with the streamlined 988 was envisioned as a means to make it as universally recognizable as the trusted emergency number 911.
Individuals reaching out to 988 via phone or text are connected to empathetic counselors who lend an ear to their concerns, endeavor to de-escalate critical situations, and provide guidance towards local resources. Additionally, crisis counselors are readily available for online chats in both English and Spanish. In a significant development, the Biden Administration recently announced the incorporation of an American Sign Language feature into the 988 crisis line, catering to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community. Plans are also underway to introduce a video communication option.
In an ideal scenario, celebrating an upsurge in calls to a suicide and crisis hotline might seem unconventional, but this increase was foreseen as more individuals become aware of this vital service. At a time when a staggering 90 percent of Americans acknowledge the existence of a mental health crisis, with an increasing number reporting thoughts of suicide, anxiety, and depression, mental health advocates are keen to spread awareness about the emergency intervention system, which is merely a call, text, or chat message away.
With a year’s worth of performance data now available, mental health providers and advocates are better equipped to assess the efficacy of the new 988 number and identify areas for potential improvement. These initial findings also shed light on the reasons prompting people to contact the crisis line and what they seek from it.
According to data compiled by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the top three motivations for individuals reaching out to 988 in the state are “interpersonal issues, depression, and anxiety.” Furthermore, by utilizing the 988 service, people can access specialized crisis lines tailored to support military veterans and their families, the LGBTQ+ community, and Spanish-speaking individuals, extending the reach and impact of this crucial mental health resource.
