It’s been one year since the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says it’s been a success. Director of Behavioral Health Debra Pinals tells us 988 replaced the old Suicide Prevention Lifeline with the idea of having a 911-like emergency number for mental health. Since 988 launched, the state has averaged 7,000 calls per month.
“People with suicidal or self-harming thoughts, some people with mental health concerns, relationship conflicts, all of those have become the top issues,” Pinals said.
Pinals says the state will increase promotion of 988 in the coming year.
“As we were building out the services, the word has been getting out, but we do know that the word is not out as much as we want it to be. So, what you’ll see this year with the infrastructure being more built up is more coming out in terms of public messaging to make sure more people are aware.”
Of those who have called 988 in Michigan, more than 46% reported high or overwhelming stress at the beginning of a call, which was reduced to 16% by the end of the call after speaking with a 988 specialist. When you call 988, you’ll speak to a counselor who can connect you with the resources you need. Pinals says most of the time, you’ll be speaking to someone in Michigan.
