South Dakota’s 988 crisis line received nearly 65-hundred calls in the first half of 2024– a nearly a 40% increase from the same time last year.
Vanessa Barnes is the assistant director of the state Department of Social Services Division of Behavioral Health. She says a perception study done in 2023 shows nearly half of surveyed South Dakotans had heard of the lifeline, but only 28% chose 988 as the number they would call for mental health-related distress, substance use or suicide crisis help.
“So the biggest thing is just making sure that people know that 9-8-8 is available, but that it’s more than just a suicide hotline and it can be used for substance use and for loved ones as well.”
Angela Kimball with the nonprofit organization Inseparable says their data shows South Dakota’s in-state call answer rate is 86%. She says the report encourages systems of accountability.
“This allows legislators to oversee the system over the long haul and to set up the structures for continuous learning, continuous system improvement.”
Barnes says the South Dakota Legislature appropriated state dollars to fully fund the helpline, which is currently hiring to meet rising caller demand. She says they’re also pivoting their marketing to try to raise awareness about the crisis assistance that’s available through 988.
The South Dakota Department of Social Services will host its third annual suicide prevention conference in Sioux Falls in early August.
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