Posted on Jul 13, 2022
The new 988 suicide prevention hotline will connect Kansans to help near them
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Millions are poured into mental health services to support 988. Some haven’t seen this much investment in a while.
TOPEKA, Kansas — Think of the new 988 not just as an easier-to-remember suicide hotline.
The number that goes live in Kansas on Saturday also comes with an infusion of federal tax dollars aimed at creating a more powerful and nimble lifeline to families caught in a mental health crisis.
“It really spurred the initial progress to move forward with that,” said Sherrie Vaughn, the executive director of the Kansas branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “If you would have asked me four years ago, can we get there? I may have been hesitant to say yes.”
TOPEKA, Kansas — Think of the new 988 not just as an easier-to-remember suicide hotline.
The number that goes live in Kansas on Saturday also comes with an infusion of federal tax dollars aimed at creating a more powerful and nimble lifeline to families caught in a mental health crisis.
“It really spurred the initial progress to move forward with that,” said Sherrie Vaughn, the executive director of the Kansas branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “If you would have asked me four years ago, can we get there? I may have been hesitant to say yes.”
The new 988 suicide prevention hotline will connect Kansans to help near them
Posted from kcur.org
Suicide
Depression
Mental Health
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."An easier-to-call number is expected to increase the number of people seeking help. Matt Atteberry, executive director of the Labette Center for Mental Health Services Inc., said that means it’ll cost more to respond to a larger caseload. The Kansas Legislature approved $10 million to support 988.
He said community mental health centers offer services that 988 funding will bring, like a crisis response team, but centers have wanted to expand services. That might not have been possible without the federal subsidies tied to 988.
“I don't imagine there's any mental health center that thinks … there’s not a need for additional (services),” Atteberry said. “Anything that makes it more likely we can provide the care that we’re here to do.”...
..."An easier-to-call number is expected to increase the number of people seeking help. Matt Atteberry, executive director of the Labette Center for Mental Health Services Inc., said that means it’ll cost more to respond to a larger caseload. The Kansas Legislature approved $10 million to support 988.
He said community mental health centers offer services that 988 funding will bring, like a crisis response team, but centers have wanted to expand services. That might not have been possible without the federal subsidies tied to 988.
“I don't imagine there's any mental health center that thinks … there’s not a need for additional (services),” Atteberry said. “Anything that makes it more likely we can provide the care that we’re here to do.”...
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