Since the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched on July 16, call centers have seen a 45% increase in contacts.
September 30, 2022, 1:32 PMErin Woodiel/Argus Leader via USA Today Network& Crisis Lifeline launched on July 16, call centers have seen a 45% increase in contacts -- primarily in people texting or sending messages seeking help -- compared to last year, according to new data from the federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration .
Answer rate data from SAMHSA for the month of August, the first full month of implementation for 988, shows an 84% answer rate for calls, 97% for chats and 98% for texts. The answer rates for chats and texts represent a major increase compared to numbers released by SAMHSA in an appropriations report late last year, which showed a 30% answer rate for chats and 56% rate for texts through December 2020.
"988 is more than a number, it's a message: we're there for you," he added. "The transition to 988 is just the beginning. We will continue working towards comprehensive, responsive crisis care services nationwide to save lives." That scenario would allow his facility to "focus a little less on the fundraising and a whole lot more on service delivery," he said."There's only so much money, and folks prioritize what they see as important," Jansen said. "Hopefully everybody sees saving lives from suicide is important. I think they do.
Jansen noted that "every imminent risk policy underscores least invasive intervention as is possible. So you do the things that are the least invasive."
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