Lots of help here at Talking Sober for substance abuse, addictions, lots of help at text/call number 988 for substance abuse and mental health in US.
911 is always available also for emergencies.
Other countries may have similar numbers.
Dr. Leana S. Wen
Opinions columnist
Washington Post, July 28, 2022
This month, the federal government launched a 24/7 hotline for mental health emergencies. This is a crucial tool that can save many lives.
We all know to call 911 if someone has severe chest pain or was injured in a car accident. This is the same number regardless of where you are in the country, and you can be sure that there will be someone on the other end of the line no matter when you call.
Now, there is a single three-digit number to call for mental health and substance use crises: the 988 suicide and crisis line. This is a bipartisan effort that has been in the works for years, and I and many other mental-health advocates are thrilled to see it officially launched.
The framework for 988 is based on the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. That 10-digit number (1-800-273-8255) will remain active and is rolled into 988 services.
It’s important to emphasize that 988 is not only for those with suicidal thoughts, but also for people who need help for other mental health and substance use concerns. Family members can reach out on behalf of loved ones. People can text 988 in lieu of a phone conversation, as well.
As with existing hotlines, trained counselors will be able to handle the majority of calls and texts. In instances when the interaction is deemed an imminent threat to a person’s life, callers will be connected to 911, and local emergency services will be deployed.
The importance of a single number to call cannot be underestimated. When I ran Baltimore’s health department, I found that there were five numbers to call to find help for people with substance use disorders. Some only operated during certain times of the day. Some couldn’t help those who also had mental-health issues. Some required insurance information upfront.
This was terribly confusing to navigate. We worked with partners across our city to consolidate the phone lines into a single, free 24/7 crisis line that people could call for all mental health and substance use concerns. By the second month, we were fielding nearly 1,000 calls a week.
No doubt, there will be hiccups as 988 is first rolled out. And a lot more resources will be needed so that people who need urgent behavioral health treatment can access it immediately. The Biden administration has invested more than $400 million of new funding, with the expectation that states will put in their share, too.
I hope this happens. It’s about time we recognize that mental health is as important as physical health. We can all help to spread the word about this new 988 hotline. It could help someone you know and even save their life.
