Today is a good day to remember that help is as close as the nearest phone — literally at our fingertips.
988 — remember that number.
The 24/7 suicide crisis hotline turns two years old next week, and since it started millions of calls have come in and countless lives have been saved and people have been helped.
The 988 Lifeline also links to a Veterans Crisis Line for those in the military, veterans and their families. Specialized services also are available for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults.
The hotline also can handle calls in Spanish.
Callers can get a crisis specialist who can help connect people with local resources. All calls are free and confidential. They also can work with callers via text or chat.
The millions of calls that come in are evidence of the depth of our mental health crisis nationwide.
Here in Niagara County, Niagara County Crisis Services says it’s responding to roughly 2,500 calls a month and has recently added staff to deal with the high volume of calls.
In July of 2022, Niagara County Crisis Services became a provider for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and since that time the simple “988” number for the national network has flooded the call center. Jodi L. McKay, Crisis Services program manager, said that the number of calls has grown eightfold.
In addition, Niagara County Crisis Services’ direct number — 716-285-3515 — is also being utilized regularly and shows no signs of slowing down.
To deal with an increase in calls — a total of about 2,500 a month — Niagara County Crisis Services has added a new phone aid position to the agency’s staff, boosting the number of aides to answer calls from those in need to 13.
In July of 2022, Niagara County Crisis Services became a provider for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and since that time the simple “988” number for the national network has flooded the call center. Jodi L. McKay, Crisis Services program manager, said that the number of calls has grown eightfold.
That, however, was not as much a surprise as that the crisis center’s McKay also said that the calls are also lasting longer.
The increase in calls may not be as dire as it seems. Laura Kelemen, Niagara County Department of Mental Health director, said the public at large is more comfortable “reaching out” for help with their mental health issues before succumbing to suicide, because of anti-stigma work being done, and that’s what’s driving the increase.
“There is help available. There is hope for people who are struggling. The 988 line seems to be doing what it’s supposed to. A simple three-digit number that’s memorable that people can reach out to and know the call is going to be answered any time of the day by someone who is trained to provide that lifeline to them,” she said.
We urge everyone to help spread the word. Help is out there.