JULY 21, 2023:
It’s been a year since the helpline phone number for those in mental health crisis in the United States changed from a 10-digit number to 988.
Janet Kittams is the CEO of the 211 Helpline Center, the entity operating the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in South Dakota. She says more of the calls were from people not in crisis, which is an encouraging sign that people are seeking help when symptoms first emerge.
“We’d much rather talk to people on the front end of a mental-health or behavioral-health issue as opposed to the point when they’re in very deep crisis.”
Like other states, Kittams says with a shortage of clinical providers still prominent, it can take someone several weeks to see a local specialist after their initial call to 988. Kittams says in those situations, they do their best to make sure the person who called feels supported while they wait for their appointment.
“If somebody calls us on 988, we’re going to offer to call them back within the next day to check in with them and see how they’re doing. And then we’re going to continue to offer to call back over the next four weeks to try to touch base to make sure they’re still stable, that they’re not in crisis.”
Kittams says they’ve been proactive in getting cooperation from police agencies to ensure 988 counselors lead the calls to help avoid scenarios such as involuntary treatment or standoff situations with emergency responders.
“95% of the time, we’re able to de-escalate, stabalize that caller. And so, we don’t have to require a dispatch.”
Kittams says having enough trained counselors on staff to take calls to 988 is challenging, but so far, she says they’ve still been able to operate 24-7. Nationally, there were five million requests for help made to 988 in the first year.
CDC data shows South Dakota has the fifth highest suicide rate in the US.
JULY 14, 2023:
The Department of Social Services (DSS) and The Helpline Center are celebrating the one-year anniversary (July 16, 2023) of the start to South Dakota’s 988. 988 is a national three-digit phone number that has been created as a resource for all mental health-related distress, substance use, and suicide crises. People can also call 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need support.
While 988 is available nationally, the network relies on each state to erect its own mental health resource to ensure crisis services are available. 988 exists today in South Dakota because of Governor Noem’s support and because of the Legislature’s appropriation of adequate funding. While calling from a 605 area code, persons are routed to The Helpline Center, a South Dakota-based 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Center, which provides 24/7 access to Master’s-level trained mental health professionals. Text and chat services are also available in English through 988.
Since the launch of 988 in South Dakota, more than 7,500 individuals have called, texted, and chatted with 988 mental health counselors. The counselors have listened to concerns, provided support, and connected the individuals to additional resources and follow-up care.
In this first year, counselors have:
- Connected with persons ranging in age from 12-years-old to 80-years-old.
- Talked with at least one individual from each of South Dakota’s 66 counties.
- Supported individuals struggling with grief, addictions and thoughts of depression such that they are struggling to get through their day
“988 through its volume and utilization has shown already in its first year that it is a resource being connected to extraordinary needs. DSS is proud to be a part of what we hope South Dakotans see as an asset to our community and a lifeline for those experiencing acute mental health needs,” said DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff. “988 provides a direct connection to compassionate care and support for anyone experiencing mental-health-related distress, suicide crisis, or substance use. We ask for your assistance in helping to make 988 as well-known as 911, 511 and 211 so that South Dakotans who need this resource might be in position to reach out to it.”
For more information about 988 and The Helpline Center, visit https://www.helplinecenter.org/9-8-8/.
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JULY 16, 2022:
The new 988 Lifeline activates across the United States today (July 16, 2022).
Helpline Center CEO Janet Kittams says there are urgent realities driving the need for crisis service transformation across our country. She says 988 will hopefully help reduce the stigma surrounding seeking help for mental health and addiction.
South Dakota Department of Social Services Secretary Laurie Gill says people can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. She says whether it is thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s (1.800.273.8255) network. The caring and professionally trained staff of the Helpline Center have been answering the Lifeline since 2005.
In South Dakota, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, but is the leading cause among ages 10-19. Additionally, drug related deaths in South Dakota have increased from 56 in 2011 to 84 in 2020.
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