BHL Speaker(s): David Covington
Co-speakers: Tonja Myles
By John Draper, Ph.D. Can SAMHSA and state leaders keep the promise of 988 without reporting on and supporting follow-up care? When the FCC recommended to Congress in 2019 that 988 be designated as the new three-digit number for mental health and suicide crises, it described the evidence simply and
Seatbelts existed for decades before they became standard—and even longer before people actually used them. The same is true for effective substance use crisis tools. We have direct access pathways, 988 crisis lines, and alternatives to 911 that keep people out of emergency departments and away from law enforcement—but
Sarah calls 988 from Casper on a Tuesday evening, overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts. The counselor at Central Wyoming Counseling Center uses a structured suicide risk assessment, creates a detailed safety plan with specific coping strategies, and connects her with the partner organization for a wellness check within two hours. Three
Transforming how crisis care systems respond to risk More than half of people experiencing suicidal thoughts never tell anyone. When they do disclose, it’s rarely to professionals—and the reason is fear. Fear of hospitalization. Fear of losing control. Fear that asking for help will trigger the very crisis they’re trying
Part 2: How Extreme SLA Penalties and Cloud Restrictions Drive Away Quality Vendors This is Part 2 of a 5-part series on how states can deploy cutting-edge crisis care coordination technologies that deliver maximum value, avoid burdensome costs, and encourage innovation while expanding their pool of exceptional vendors. State and
Reflections on 988 Day from someone who helped build the Suicide Prevention Lifeline foundation and is now focused on what happens after the cal.l Today marks 988 Day—a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come and envision where we’re headed in transforming crisis intervention services across America. As someone who
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