INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – There’s a renewed focus on mental health in America after a wave of recent mass shootings. And soon there will be a new way to reach out for help.
Effective July 16th, each state will be rolling out 988 as the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number.
Starting this Saturday, each state will be rolling out 988 as the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number. The hotline will provide around the clock confidential support from mental health professionals trained to respond to such emergencies.
There is worry though as all states may be in a position to fund the changeover, properly staff call centers or have response teams on standby. In fact, a recent Rand report found fewer than 16-percent of public health officials responsible for the coming transition said they had helped develop a budget to support 988 operations.
For its part, Indiana has put $55 million in grant funding to improve mental health services in Indiana. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration is providing says the funding will also help in the maintaining of the new hotline in the state.
Read more here from Inside Indiana Business
Read more on the national hotline here