The new national suicide hotline number is reaching many more people in need, but some are concerned about the potential consequences of reaching out.
The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 allowed the national resource to be changed from a 1-800 number to the easier-to-remember 988 last July.
“We’ve had the resources in a crisis line for years now, but I think just the visibility and the ease of remembering this number versus other numbers is significant,” Miller said.
That’s Andy Miller, the founder of Georgia Health News and Reporter for KFF Health News.
In addition to calling 988 to be directed to a local call center, those in need of support can also text the number to be put in touch with an out-of-state clinician.
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) has gotten the word out in the state through community outreach, webinars, social media and by visiting University System of Georgia schools. Their Office of Crisis Coordination Director Dawn Peel says the department’s top priority in the first year was reaching high-risk groups.
“Young people, the LGBTQ+ population, veterans, people who live in rural areas, and some others. And really targeting our outreach to those groups, so that we can make sure that those that are most likely to need this resource are aware of the resource,” Peel said.
A local call to 988 is no different than reaching the 1-800 Georgia Crisis and Access Line, or GCAL, the state’s main resource for those experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts and more.
In Georgia, the 1-800 GCAL hotline received 180,000 calls in the year before the new number rollout. This past year, 988 garnered 244,000 calls.
Peel says that when someone calls the number, a clinician will quickly assess the needs of the caller to determine if they need counseling and outpatient care or emergency services.
“In some cases, the call taker can de-escalate the person or help address the person’s need, and then refer them to outpatient services at a local clinic,” Peel said. “In other cases, the person might need more in depth assessment, and in those situations, a mobile crisis team might be dispatched.”
After the rollout of the new number, some social media users took to spreading a different kind of awareness, urging people not to call 988 in case the clinicians take action against their will.
One Instagram post with almost 250,000 likes says, “988 is not friendly. Don’t call it, don’t post it, without knowing the risks.” In the caption, the author warns people that police will use geotagging to reach callers without their consent.
However, Peel says GCAL and mobile crisis teams can’t do that — they don’t have the capability. A caller must give the center their location in order for a mobile crisis team to be dispatched. A DBHDD YouTube video outlines the ideal crisis response process.
“Team members will work with the person to seek treatment voluntarily, because evidence shows people have better treatment outcomes when they choose to seek help on their own,” the video stated.
However, if a caller does provide their location and the in-person evaluation shows that they are at imminent risk to themselves or others, clinicians can sign an order that will allow the caller to be taken to an Emergency Receiving Facility without their consent.
Rather than emergency rooms, these are private crisis centers that provide rehabilitation services. But, Peel says this is rare in Georgia.
Moving forward, the Georgia team is pivoting to educate the public about 988 through mass marketing. They are also expanding their call center to accommodate more call volume increases. Peel also hopes that Georgians will join the 988 movement to help address the national suicide crisis.
“It’s really important work. You can really make an incredible difference in someone’s life. And so hopefully, word is catching on, and people will join the 988 movement and not only help us move this work forward, but maybe join the work themselves,” Peel said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you may call or text 988 or visit https://988ga.org/ for additional resources.
