Nearly two years since launch, 988 mental health hotline shows progress

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7. To reach the 24/7 Crisis Text Helpline, text 4HOPE to 741741.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline officially launched nationwide on July 16, 2022. As we near the two year anniversary of the number, central Ohio mental health experts are sharing the progress with the number locally.

With 988, people in crisis can simply call or text 988 and be connected to help in their area immediately. The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County held a news conference Tuesday morning to talk about how the 988 lifeline has impacted people in central Ohio.

Sue Villilo, the VP of Clinical Services & Provider Relations at ADAMH, said use of the number has grown exponentially over the past two years. “In 2023 we were averaging about a thousand calls a month and just this May we saw a huge uptake to about 1,600 calls a month, so more than a 50 percent increase from the prior year and we are anticipating that these numbers will just continue to grow,” said Villilo.

Here in central Ohio, North Central Mental Health Services handles almost all of the calls that come from local people. The calls that North Central can’t get to are picked up by Netcare Access, another local agency that also handles all the texts and chats that come into the lifeline.

It’s all local people helping other Ohioans in need. “It can be definitely a daunting task to call for help because it puts you in a vulnerable position so we are there as very supportive, empathetic human beings and we answer the calls as kindly as possible,” said Alison O’Donnell, who runs the 988 call center at North Central.

O’Donnell said her staff is constantly connecting people with resources right here in Franklin County. She said most of the time, callers just want to be heard. “99 percent of the time we are able to effectively resolve the call just by talking, which is amazing,” said O’Donnell. The growth of 988 in central Ohio has been massive, but local mental health leaders said they know not everyone in this area is aware of 988 and how it works.

In Franklin County, a call is typically answered in 14 to 17 seconds and you only need to dial three numbers to get there. Villilo said we can all help spread the word. “Just talking about it, sharing information with the people that you know and also making sure that you use the number too for yourself or if you’re concerned about a loved one,” said Villilo.

For information about how 988 works locally, click here.