It’s been two years since the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched nationally as a way for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis to get immediate help. The free service connects callers to trained counselors and in-person assistance, if needed.
Since 2022, operators at 12 call centers throughout the state fielded more than 719,000 calls to the hotline. Calls rose about 14% in the lifeline’s second year of operation, according to local authorities.
More than just a new number to call for mental health crises, 988 is ultimately supposed to be a rethinking of how we respond to psychiatric emergencies, with someone to call, someone to respond and somewhere to go.
Tell LAist: What’s your experience with 988?
We at LAist have been reporting on various local efforts to provide help to people experiencing mental health crises, especially those that don’t involve police or sheriff’s deputies. Experts on police use of force have long said the mere presence of law enforcement at a scene where someone is in a mental health crisis can escalate the potential danger for all involved.
So we are asking you — our audience — to tell us your experiences with 988. Please take a moment to fill out our short survey. Were counselors able to address the matter over the phone? Did they send a crisis team to your location? How did it work out?
Your responses will help inform our reporting. We will reach out to you directly and ask for your permission before we share information about your experiences.
What we know so far
The nonprofit organization Didi Hirsch runs L.A. County’s 988 call center. Officials said about…
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