National Mental Health Crisis Hotline 988 Marks 1 Year

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KQED

News Commentary, News, Politics

4.2 • 727 Ratings

🗓️ 1 August 2023

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

For the last year, Americans in mental health crisis have been able to call or text the number 988 to receive immediate counseling, emotional support and community resources. The formerly 10-digit hotline re-launched with the idea that more lives could be saved with a number that’s easier to remember. And in its first year, 988 saw a 35% jump in service, receiving more than 5 million calls, chats and texts. Advocates say there’s still room to grow: according to the latest federal data, more than 12.3 million adults in the U.S. seriously considered suicide in 2021. We’ll talk about the successes and challenges of 988, one year in. Related link(s): Answering the Call: A Special Series On America’s New Mental Health Crisis Line (Tradeoffs) Guests: Dan Gorenstein, host and executive editor, “Tradeoffs,” a nonprofit health policy news organization Keris Jän Myrick, California mental health advocate based in L.A.; vice president of partnerships, Inseparable [a mental health advocacy organization]; podcast host, "Unapologetically Black Unicorns" Hannah Wesolowski, chief advocacy officer, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:00.0	Support for KGBD podcasts comes from Landmark College, offering a fully online graduate level certificate in learning differences in neurodiversity program.
0:09.8	Visit landmark.edu slash certificate to learn more.
0:13.9	Greetings boomtown.
0:15.3	The Xfinity Wi-Fi is booming.
0:17.6	Xfinity combines the power of internet and mobile.
0:20.8	So we've all got lightning fast speeds at home
0:22.8	and on the go!
0:24.3	Learn more at Xfinity.com.
0:26.2	Restrictions apply. Xfinity, Internet required.
0:28.0	Actual speeds vary.
0:30.3	From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Nina Kim.
0:50.3	It's been a year since the U.S. transition to a three-digit hotline number, 988 to help
0:55.5	people experiencing depression, substance use, or suicidal ideation. The hope has been
1:00.9	that more lives could be saved with a number that was easier to remember than the former
1:04.6	10-digit number. And contacts to 988 have increased, particularly via text message. Still, advocates say there's more work to do.
1:13.6	Only 18% of adults are aware of 988.
1:16.6	Staffing shortages remain a concern.
1:18.6	So did you contact the line?
1:20.6	And did it help you?
1:21.6	Coming up on forum, we look back at the first year of 988
1:24.6	after this news.
1:40.7	Welcome to Forum. I'm Mina Kim. In July of last year, a three-digit number, 988, replace the 10-digit suicide and crisis line, and calls and text to the line rose dramatically.
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