crisis hotlines

Only when the caller cannot or will not collaborate on a safety plan and the counselor feels the caller will harm themselves imminently should emergency services be called, according to the hotline's policy.

National
Health & Safety

Social media posts warn people not to call 988. Here's what you need to know

5:00am August 11, 2022

by Aneri Pattani

Mental health advocates celebrated the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, but some people voiced concerns that using the service could lead to police involvement or forced hospitalization.

Barbara Wheatley takes phone calls as part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network. Wheatley is an alcohol and substance abuse counselor, and the lead clinician for mobile crisis response for Memorial Behavioral Health in Springfield, Ill.

National
Health & Safety

Some states are struggling to prepare for calls to the 988 mental health crisis line

12:45pm July 11, 2022

by Carter Barrett

With the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline set to launch in days, several states have been beset by staffing crunches, dropped or rerouted calls and lack of planning.

A spike in texts and calls to crisis hotlines reflects Americans' growing anxiety about the coronavirus and its impact on their lives.

Health & Safety

Flood Of Calls And Texts To Crisis Hotlines Reflects Americans' Rising Anxiety

4:37pm May 04, 2020

by Yuki Noguchi

People are calling crisis hotlines in greater numbers, complaining of more complex struggles. What these lines are seeing offers a window into the emotional struggles Americans face.

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