988 suicide-and-crisis lifeline is free and available to anyone in crisis; calls have increased 23% since launch nine months ago
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
“More people are calling and more people are staying on and talking to someone that can help,” Beshear said at his weekly news conference Thursday. “This means Kentuckians facing a risk of suicide, mental-health distress or an addiction crisis are getting connected with compassionate trained counselors more often and faster than ever before. ”
988 is confidential and accepts calls, texts, and chats from anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental-health and/or substance-use crisis.
It is available 24 hours a day, every day and is free of charge. It is available to people of all ages in crisis, and to family members and loved ones seeking guidance.
According to state data from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Kentucky’s 988 call centers got 2,888 calls in March and 78% of them were answered in-state.
SAMHSA says Kentucky calls are answered, on average, in 25 seconds, The national average is 35 seconds and the average talk time is just over 13 minutes.
“That shows that 988 is working and has been a great improvement,” said Beshear. “I want to thank all of our partners and mental health advocates across the state and beyond who have worked so hard to make this possible. This administration will always support Kentuckians as they seek health care. We believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and this is helping us to be able to intervene and ensure that we don’t lose people.”