What Therapists Should Know about the Rollout of 988

What Therapists Should Know about the Rollout of 988

Curt and Katie discuss the new suicide hotline, 988, that is set to roll out July 16, 2022. We talk about the legislation for 988 as well as what the primary concerns are for the launch. We explore the resources and infrastructure that is promised (but not ready) as well as ideas that might improve the success of this new initiative.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about what is already going wrong with the 988 roll out. 

We have been paying attention to the 988 roll out and are concerned by the lack of preparation and funding for its implementation. We talk about why we’re freaked out about the upcoming roll out.

What is 988?

Legislation (from 2020) makes the national suicide hotline easier to access, using the phone number 988 – set to launch on July 16, 2022

Crisis, Suicide, or Lifeline phone number

Replaces the previous numbers: 800-273-8255 (phone) or text to 741741

Connecting local resources to local callers

An entry point into the local crisis response system

Opportunities for call, text, or messaging support during times of crisis

What are the primary concerns with the launch of 988?

Lack of infrastructure (calls are being sent out of state or not being answered at all)

Lack of local resources to handle crisis response

Lack of funding to develop these resources (potentially NO funding for staff, text, chat)

Huge gaps in the crisis response system that will be exposed by increased access to this system

Challenges with training hotline workers, who are likely going to be volunteers

Inadequate training for inclusive services and linguistically responsive services.

Ideas to improve 988 and the United States Mental Healthcare program

Funding streams through Medicaid, combining forces with 911

Using the implementation to identifying gaps

RAND suggestions to coordinate with local organizations for strategic planning and identifying stable funding sources, needs assessments related to personnel

Advocacy at the state level to make sure state legislatures are making this work

Curt’s idea: have hotlines staffed with prelicensed or provisionally licensed folks (earning double hours toward licensure)

Advocacy at the federal level to increase funding across the whole country

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!

SAMHSA 988 webpage

RAND Report: How to Transform the US Mental Health System

RAND Working Paper – Preparedness for 988 Throughout the United States: The New Mental Health Emergency Hotline

Find Your Legislators

Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:

Fixing Mental Healthcare in America

A Living Wage for Prelicensees

Episodes on Suicide