988 – the 911 for people experiencing behavioral health crisis – launches Saturday

Are you struggling with thoughts of suicide? Addicted to drugs? Maybe you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis. The new 988 system that launches nationwide Saturday is a new tool for those scenarios and many others under the behavioral health umbrella.

Starting Saturday, you’ll be able to call and get a live person who can help if you or a loved one is experiencing such a crisis.

988 was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. 988 will provide easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from the public safety purposes of 911. 911’s focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services (EMS), fire, and police as needed, according to the State Department of Health.

The 988 dialing code will be available nationally for call, text, or chat beginning on July 16. Increased collaboration between crisis service providers aims to reduce the use of emergency room and police departments, while increasing options for those in crisis and improving system coordination around access to care.

A task force included in HB 1477 is working on finalizing the long-term vision of the 988 and behavioral systems for Washington state. Bipasha Mukherjee, who currently answers similar calls for Crisis Connections in King County, is among those working on that long-term plan and says, while it might be a bit before that is finalized, they definitely have clear goals.

“Right now, the way it works, at least in King County, is if someone calls and I say these are agencies that could help you, I give people phone numbers, right? And then they have to call and do the follow-up work and further on,” Mukherjee explained. “But a more integrated system would be, I can look up to see what’s available maybe in real time in terms of an opening here. There’s an opening there. Your agency provides that support. I’m going to transfer this person to you so you can then continue. It’s what they call a warm handoff.”

Mukherjee believes most people who call 988 will get what they need by talking to the specialist who answers their call at 988, but that won’t be enough for everyone, so that’s the focus.

“There’s a certain percentage, which that’s not going to be enough just talking to a human being on the phone is not going to be enough, then there would be probably two options, which is, you know, I really need to talk to someone face to face,” she explained. “That’s what I’m needing right now, the phone is not coming in. And, unfortunately right now, for almost every crisis call 911. Be it a medical crisis or someone broke into my house crisis. And I think we’ve put a lot of pressure on the 911 system to address things they’re not supposed to be addressing. Mental health crises have different aspects to them and police officers, or even EMTs for that matter, are not trained fully on mental health issues.”

WA lawmaker says launch of 988 system has the opportunity to ‘save lives’

Additional 988 information from the Health Care Authority and the Department of Health

What happens July 16, 2022?
• When you dial 988, you will be connected to an NSPL call center.
• You can call, text, or chat 988 on your cell phone, landline, or voice-over-internet devices.
• The 10-digit number for the NSPL will remain active. You can dial either 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 988.
• There will be no changes to dispatch for Designated Crisis Responders and mobile crisis response teams or the functions of any other regional crisis service.
• The NSPL crisis centers will continue operating according to NSPL standards and will connect with 911 services and regional crisis services as they have always done.

Overview
In Washington, the legislature passed HB 1477 (E2SHB 1477), the Crisis Call Center Hubs and Crisis Services Act, to enhance and expand behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention services for all people in Washington State. This bill established the Crisis Response improvement Strategy (CRIS) committee, which will develop recommendations to support implementation of the work in the bill.

The 988 dialing code will be available nationally for call, text, or chat beginning on July 16, 2022. Increased collaboration between crisis service providers aims to reduce the use of emergency room and police departments, while increasing options for those in crisis and improving system coordination around access to care.

988 fast facts
• 988 will be confidential, free, and available 24/7/365, connecting those experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis with trained crisis counselors.
• Access to the NSPL is available through every landline, cell phone, and voice-over-internet devices in the United States.
• 988 services will be available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in over 250 languages.
• The 988 dialing code will be available for call, text, and chat by July 16, 2022. Until then, those in crisis should continue to use 1-800-273-8255, which will function even after July 16.
• The nationwide implementation of the 988 three-digit call, text, and chat line is just the first important step in re-imagining crisis support in the U.S.
• After July 16, Washington will launch the Native and Strong Lifeline, dedicated to serving American Indian and Alaska Native individuals who call 988. The Native and Strong Lifeline will work in partnership with the Washington Indian Behavioral Health Hub to identify resources and follow-up for those contacting 988. For additional resources, please see NativeAndStrong.org and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

What does not change July 16, 2022
• 988 is added, but all of the existing phone lines and services people are familiar with and utilize do NOT go away.
• There will be no changes to dispatch for Designated Crisis Responders and mobile crisis response teams or the functions of any other regional crisis service.
• The NSPL Lifeline crisis centers will continue to operate their services in accordance with NSPL Lifeline standards and connect with 911 services and regional crisis services as usual.

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