Nationwide, calls to the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline soared after the number was officially launched in 2022. A new study outlines that while calls have gone up, access to care after those initial calls has not increased.

California

The 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has experienced a significant surge in calls since its official launch in 2022, providing critical access to those facing mental health emergencies. This hotline, modeled on the 911 emergency system, has become a lifeline for millions seeking support during crises. At the Dee Dee Hirsch call center in Los Angeles alone, approximately 20,000 calls and texts are received monthly, reflecting the escalating demand for mental health support nationwide. 

Counselor Alejandra Varga, who overcame their own personal struggles, is among those on the frontline of providing assistance through the hotline. Despite the increase in calls, a recent study highlights a gap in subsequent access to care, with insufficient resources and therapists posing a challenge. The authors of the study are advocating for increased funding and greater awareness to ensure that the 988 service can effectively fulfill its mission.

The report further underscores that one in four adults in the U.S. is living with a diagnosable mental illness, with many potentially undiagnosed individuals facing similar challenges. Public health services also face the threat of federal funding cuts, which could exacerbate the mental health crisis. Without adequate resources, there could be an increase in hospitalizations and deaths related to mental health, underscoring the urgency for continued attention and support for mental health services.



Demand soars for mental health care after suicide hotline launch

It's been nearly three years since the launch of the nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Since then, millions seeking help have used the call center as a life-saving resource. In tonight's In Depth, Elise Preston reports on the understaffing and underfunding threatening to upend the hotline's mission. Just a phone call away. Suicide Prevention Center Crisis Line. The nation's 988 hotline works like 911, bringing critical access to care for those battling mental health emergencies. Counselor Alejandra Varga takes calls at Dee Dee Hirsch in Los Angeles, the nation's largest suicide prevention center. How did you get into this work? I know what it's like to go through this and not feel comfortable reaching out. As a teen, Varga was diagnosed with cancer and spiraled in despair. What did it feel like navigating that space? Overwhelming, numb. 20,000 calls and texts a month at this call center alone. Nationwide calls increased 40 percent soon after the memorable three-digit number was officially launched in 2022. Dee Dee Hirsch CEO Lynn Morris. Since 2022, 12 million people have contacted 988. Sometimes this is a life or death situation. Absolutely. It very much can be. So we have dealt with people calling our line who have either taken measures to end their life or are sitting at home with a gun in their lap. A new study outlines that while calls have gone up, access to care after those initial calls has not increased. Its authors are pushing for more awareness and funding to make 988 more effective for those in need. There aren't enough resources. There aren't enough therapists. One in four adults in the U.S. lives with a diagnosable mental illness, but many more could be struggling without a diagnosis, and the numbers are expected to go up. Meanwhile, public health services nationwide could face federal cuts. If you don't get those study resources, what does our community look like a year from now, five years from now? I think it would be a very dire situation, to be honest. There would be more hospitalizations, more deaths, and ultimately more mental health issues. Varga, that once-struggling teen-turned-counselor, promises to be on the other end. When someone calls suicide prevention, they're already breaking through a lot of barriers and a lot of stigma. So there is vulnerability and courage in those first few moments of contact. It's those moments where you show someone, I'm glad you called. Elise Preston, CBS News, Los Angeles.

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