Performance data is offering some insight into the new suicide and crisis prevention number that launched this summer as officials plan next steps for the national 988 lifeline.
is needed to further boost the response rates and staffing capacity of call centers facing the greatest demands."Yahoo News spoke with April Naturale, interim executive director of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, who said there are several reasons why more people are reaching out.
She also said social media has been instrumental in getting the word out and encouraging engagement, especially among young Americans, who may find the text and online chat options particularly appealing. “We expect that to continue, and certainly we see this as a modality that the youth utilizes,” Naturale said.
But Naturale added that the increase in calls since launching 988 doesn’t necessarily indicate that more people are suffering with mental health diagnoses. She said events such as a global pandemic, “issues of inequality in communities” and “mass violence incidents” can trigger “acute stress responses” that, with help, can be resolved over time.
“So do we think that some of these shorter-term acute crises are being addressed by the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline? Absolutely,” she added.Naturale said 988 is working on developing a video phone option for deaf or hard of hearing Americans who use American Sign Language. While there’s no launch date yet, the network is looking at a full pilot this fall or winter.
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