Everything you need to know about the call line 988

BY MADELINE DOLBY STAFF WRITER

It has been a year since Minnesota began to use the number 988 as the new mental health crisis hotline.

It was introduced to the state last July in hopes to help localize the new number that was formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which was 1-800-273TALK (8255). The Lifeline was created in 2022 by the United States in hopes to improve access to crisis services that can meet the country’s growing needs related to mental health.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides emotional support for people in distress or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The Lifeline is able to connect callers to additional local resources and community support services as needed.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) during 2022, Minnesota’s 988 Lifeline centers answered over 30,000 calls, which is a 154 percent increase from 2021. Minnesota has since then expanded its capacity to respond to texts and chats 24/7 in April 2023 and has engaged with over 600 people through those functions.

In Minnesota, 988 calls, chats and texts are answered by five organizations: Carver County Health and Human Services, First Call for Help, Greater Twin Cities United Way, FirstLink and Mental Health Minnesota (text and chat only).

During the month of May, the MDH reported that there were 4,353 calls, 978 chat messages and 1,345 texts sent to the Lifeline.

Each 988 Lifeline Center is staffed with trained crisis specialists that are focused on promoting safety, offering emotional support, providing crisis intervention and connecting people to appropriate local resources.

In Minnesota, operators respond to around 3,600 calls and 960 texts a month.

Even though the line has increased engagement, the suicide rates in Minnesota are slowly rising each year.

The most recent data from the MDH is from 2020, which shows that from 2016-2020 there were more than 10,000 hospital visits related to self-harm injuries (suicide attempts).

The state’s main goal for 988 is to expand access to established crisis care services, offering those in need someone to speak with, someone to come to their aid or somewhere to go if needed. Additionally, the MDH hopes to continue to build the infrastructure of the Lifeline Centers to answer the demand for calls being received.

For the future, the MDH stated that they would like to facilitate collaboration between partners across the state to improve connection to crisis services and inform partners, organizations, and the public about the 988 Lifeline. The state would like to ensure policies and practices continue to align with national standards and requirements, ensuring healthy equity, effective messaging and communication about the service, follow-up services, updating information and referral sources, as well as data collection and evaluation.

Minnesota is only one of six states that have been able to secure funding for 988 through a telecom fee.

There are a few major factors that differentiate 988 from other crisis call lines, 911 specifically. have writing or illustration “teams,” they are often pairs of friends or family members, such as Diane and Leo Dillon, a husband and wife illustration duo. Freeman’s vision was to capture the diverse experience of the pandemic by having a diverse array of illustration styles. I loved this idea! We had a global shared experience, but it looked a bit different in each home or region. So, he reached out to hundreds of illustrators, and I was one of the lucky few who got to sign onto this project. As I was one of the last to sign on, I created four illustrations for the book over a period of about six months. And I was amazed at how smoothly everything ran, thanks to Freeman’s awesome management skills! What message do you hope to leave with the people that read your book? That there were some positives during this incredibly challenging experience. So many people worked so hard to help make the best of a situation. Maybe gratitude is the message.

First, 988 provides easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis responses while 911 is strictly for public safety purposes, such as dispatching emergency medical services (the police or fire department if needed). The 988 Lifeline has a nationwide network that helps route calls to national crisis centers if regional centers are busy. Another factor that makes 988 different then the 911 line is the capacity to connect to ongoing treatment.

The 988 line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round to anyone in need or to anyone who knows someone in crisis. If someone or yourself is in immediate danger, call 911.

For more information, visit www.health.state.mn.us/ communities/suicide/mnresponse/988.html .

Madeline Dolby can be reached by emailing lowdownnews@presspubs. com or calling 651-407-1226.

Q. Do you plan to participate in any future projects?

A. (Sara Nintzel) Yes, I’d like to. I recently attended the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference in St. Paul and it was great meeting so many people passionate about writing and illustrating children’s books. Also, I’m finishing my third book, “Wonderful Being: Positive Affirmations for Kids,” with illustrated forest animals, to launch in fall 2023.

More information can be found about “A Pandemic Picture Book” on the website: https://pandemicpb.com/.

Compiled by Merrina O’Malley

County Brief

Campfire programs continue at Washington County Parks

Join area naturalists at outdoor park amphitheaters at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park for a variety of nature programs this summer.

Programs begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted, and run 60 minutes and will present live creatures, facts, and/or exhibits for hands-on family learning.

All campfire programs are free to campers and visitors with a vehicle permit ($7/day or $30/annual). Programs include a bonfire when conditions allow. Bench seating and grassy areas are available; visitors are welcome to bring camp chairs and blankets for comfort.

Carpenter Nature Center presenting raptors campfire program will be held on Aug. 12, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Campfire programs scheduled for the St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park are as follows:

• Aug. 5: Carpenter Nature Center presenting Reptiles and Amphibians.

• Aug. 19: Dodge Nature Center presenting Amazing Monarchs.

• Aug. 26: Bruce the Bug Guy presenting “Bugs.”

For questions, call 651-430-8370 or email at parks@co.washington.mn.us.

For more Washington County Parks programs, events, and locations see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks.