The NC Department of Health and Human Services this week celebrates the second anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
In the past two years, 988 crisis counselors in North Carolina have responded to nearly 190,000 calls, texts and chats, providing critical access to mental health and substance use crisis support. In its second year of service, the number of North Carolinians contacting 988 each month has nearly doubled.
On Monday, NCDHHS leaders visited the 988 Call Center in Greenville, NC, to show their appreciation for the dedicated crisis counselors on the other end of the line who provide this important service.
“Currently, more than 8,000 North Carolinians every month are reaching out to 988 because they know help is available when they need it,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “I’m so grateful to the behavioral health counselors who support individuals in a moment of crisis and connect thousands to care.”
On July 16, 2022, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline transitioned from a ten-digit phone number to 988, making it easy for North Carolinians to remember there is always someone to contact when they need crisis support for themselves or a loved one. 988 connects users directly to a trained counselor who listens, offers de-escalation support and provides access to community-based crisis resources.
Help through 988 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The most prevalent reasons for contacting are interpersonal or family reasons, depression, self-harm and anxiety.
“The success of 988 is a testament to the fact that, so often, people just need someone to talk to who will support them in their most vulnerable moments,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. “For many of the thousands of people calling, 988 is a first step to accessing the services and supports they need for long-term healing and recovery.”
In the past year, 988 Lifeline services have expanded to include chat and text options in Spanish and video chat capabilities for people with disabilities, furthering its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Veterans and their families, as well as Spanish-speaking callers, who reach out to 988 have the option to connect with specialized crisis services that provide culturally competent support. LGBTQ+ youth and young adults who contact 988 can access dedicated help through The Trevor Project Line, which offers support tailored to their community.
The 988 Performance Dashboard enables the department to make data-informed decisions to continue to improve access to services.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is an important component of NCDHHS’ ongoing work to ensure every North Carolinian has someone to contact, someone to respond and a safe place for help when experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Of the $835 million investment in behavioral health in the 2023 state budget, NCDHHS has committed more than $130 million to transforming North Carolina’s behavioral health crisis response services, which includes 988 – shifting the system from a state of crisis to a state of care.
For additional information about 988, visit 988lifeline.org or the 988 Performance Dashboard.
Written by the NCDHHS.