Today is the 2️⃣ year anniversary of 988 Lifeline’s launch! The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline helps save lives. Anyone located across in the U.S. can call, chat, or text 988 and receive resources and supports during a suicide, mental health, or substance use crisis. AFSP worked with Congressional partners, other non-profit coalition members, and mental health agencies to lead the charge for 988. From advocating for the Lifeline itself to encouraging budget allocations for the Lifeline’s implementation and maintenance, AFSP has been at the forefront of this movement. AFSP supports increases in federal and state funding for the future 988 crisis response system. To get involved in #AFSPadvocacy around 988, visit afsp.org/advocacy.
Mykel Gayent
1mo
I sit on my County Mental Health Board and 988 Community Wellness Response Team subcommittee. It is my opinion that we are diligently working to improve the system, promote 988 making the community more aware that they don’t have to rely on 911 for situations where no one is in eminent danger. Our county are ensuring that our mental health staff to include peers are trained. To provide support and protection for the lived experienced population. Of course, we will always work to improve and streamline our system so as the community knows they are safe when seeking assistance.
David Lewis
1mo
988 doesn’t work for Autistics (who are 9x more likely to die by suicide than the general population). I’m working to change that. Please let me know if anyone there can help me.
The danger of 988, which is still largely swept under the rug, is that no caller or texter is truly “safe” from the legal threat of geolocation, reporting to the police, and involuntary commitment—at the whim of whoever happens to take the call—especially when one is deemed “an imminent danger to oneself”, despite the widely recognized fact that suicide cannot be predicted, even after extensive psychiatric evaluation. Literally hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people are losing their civil rights and freedom, and being billed for coercive and traumatizing interventions against their will. Yes, merely by calling 988, which is ostensibly “confidential.” Doubt me? Read this: https://www.madinamerica.com/2024/06/dramatic-rise-in-police-interventions-on-988-callers/
Sherry Sheffield
1mo
Very important resource that we need to make sure stays funded.
Someone very close to me remembered to call 988 at a critical moment, and it saved his life. Thank you.
Ryan Fideler
1mo
Thank you for this important and impactful reminder
Congrats on 2 years of impactful support with the 988 Lifeline!
Jen Schwytzer
1mo
Such a great resource!
Graduate Student of Macro Social Work and Mental Health Research Professional
1mowe need to do a formal investigation on the abuse endured by the counselors of the line. more research needs to be done to shed light on this issue and alter procedures to get the specially trained hard working counselors connected with the people who need them most, not the ones who target them. just throwing this out there as a former counselor who was on since before the first year anniversary.