July 2024 marks the second anniversary of 988, the three-digit suicide prevention and mental health crisis national lifeline.
988 provides a direct connection to care and support for anyone experiencing a suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health-related crisis, or any form of emotional distress. This free and confidential mental health resource is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health-related crisis.
Trained and compassionate crisis counselors respond to calls for help by listening to how a caller’s crisis affects their life, offering support and stability in a tough situation, and connecting them to resources in their community.
“988 is an impactful mental health resource to Nebraska and across our nation,” said Tony Green, Interim Director of the Division of Behavioral Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. “No situation is too tough, complex, or far gone for you to reach out for help. Remember you are not alone, help is available and effective.”
In fiscal year 2023, 988 Nebraska responded to 18,300 calls. In fiscal year 2024, 988 Nebraska call volume increased to 22,409 which is, a 22.5% increase over FY 2023. The average chat answer rate is 87.3% and the average text answer rate is 87.8% which both exceed the goal of 80% in the implementation plan. The current average answer rate is 95.73%, which exceeds the initial goal of 90% in the implementation plan.
The lifeline serves Nebraskans from all walks of life by offering someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go.
Someone to Call: Before the implementation of 988 in July of 2022, the Boys Town National Hotline (BT) in Omaha was the call center for the Suicide Prevention Hotline. It seemed natural to enhance the partnership with BT when Nebraska took on the implementation of 988. BT is now the call center for the Nebraska Family Helpline as well as 988. These trained crisis counselors assess safety, de-escalate crises, triage and create a safety plan, provide referrals and resources, and activate the Mobile Crisis Response Team when appropriate. They also cross-train the crisis counselors on both lines to provide consistency for individuals and families utilizing both the Nebraska Family Helpline and 988.
Someone to Respond: Approximately 94% of calls received from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are being de-escalated and managed by the Boys Town crisis counselors without activating the Mobile Crisis Response Team. When appropriate, callers have the option to choose to engage with the Mobile Crisis Response Team. Approximately 1.04% of calls result in the activation of a Mobile Crisis Response team. Mobile Crisis Response teams are available across the state of Nebraska and can be used in person, via telehealth, or over the phone based on the individual’s comfort level. Even with the variety of methods to receive this mobile response, approximately 37% of individuals are choosing an in-person response. About 3.6% of calls have resulted in the activation of a crisis response team, which includes emergency services such as emergency medical services and/or law enforcement. Emergency interventions occur when a caller is deemed unsafe (a danger to self or others), has access to lethal means, and is not willing to safety plan or involve anyone who can help maintain safety.
Somewhere to Go: It is vital to continue to develop crisis-receiving and stabilization services across the state. It starts with expanding community-based services such as same-day or next-day assessment (outpatient or medication management), mental health and substance use crisis respite for youth and adults, and peer-run hospital diversion and crisis respite.
There will be a continued focus in the upcoming year to increase marketing efforts to broaden the awareness of 988. We need your help! Please share information about 988 with your colleagues, friends, and family, post 988 information on your website or in your offices and lobbies, and hand out 988 wallet cards. You can find these materials on our 988 Nebraska website: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/988.aspx. You can also order materials through SAMHSA at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/partner-toolkit.
In March 2024, DHHS in collaboration with the City of Lincoln, announced a pilot program between Lincoln Emergency Communications Center and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. On July 11, 2024, Sarpy County launched as a 911-988 partnership pilot site. These partnerships allow 911 telecommunications to connect individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress directly to licensed crisis counselors at the call center at Boys Town. This system will allow callers with a mental health need to be connected with a trained counselor without law enforcement intervention. These pilot programs are a vital component to link Nebraskans with community-based services to effectively reduce the reliance on law enforcement and hospital services during mental health crises.
Need to talk or get immediate help in a crisis? Help is available. If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to:
- Call, text, or chat 988
- Your faith-based leader, healthcare professional, or student health center on campus.
- Nebraska Family Helpline – Any question, any time. (888) 866-8660
- Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (oprime dos para Español) or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)