The 21st Show

988: The New Mental Health Hotline Number

Produced by Christine Hatfield
 
In this Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, photo, a man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. Quick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies may soon be as easy as 9-8-8. The United States’ first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline goes live on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

In this Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, photo, a man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. Quick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies may soon be as easy as 9-8-8. The United States’ first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline goes live on Saturday, July 16, 2022. AP Photo/Jenny Kane

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988 is the new support hotline to call for people across the country facing suicidal thoughts or dealing with mental health crises. Advocates say the new number will help people access the mental health care they need. But there are some detractors of the service who worry calling it could lead to police visits or involuntary hospitalization for particularly vulnerable groups.

The 21st spoke to a crisis service manager and the regional director of the Memorial Behavioral Health crisis system of care to hear more about how this new number will help Illinois residents. 

Guests:

Emily Legner, LCPC
Regional director of the Memorial Behavioral Health crisis system of care

Christina Gerlach 
Crisis Services Manager

 

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

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