APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It’s officially been one year since the 988 lifeline was launched in Wisconsin.
988 replaced the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Since the launch, the number of Wisconsinites using the hotline increased significantly.
Wisconsin has seen the second-highest increase in call volume nationwide since the launch of the new number, according to Wisconsin Department of Health Services Crisis Service Coordinator Caroline Crehan Neumann.
“They took three months before the launch of 988 and saw how many people were calling from Wisconsin to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and then they took three months of data after the launch of 988.”
Crehan Neumann says since the launch, Wisconsin’s lifeline has received nearly 92,000 calls, 10,000 texts and 9,000 chats.
“Calls are still the predominant method of contacting 988, but the text service has seen an over 1,000% increase across the nation and an over 100% increase in Wisconsinites reaching out via text.”
Crehan Neumann says the numbers they saw in this last year were a lot higher than anticipated.
“Before the launch of 988, we were told by our federal partners that we would receive about 55,000 calls and, for example, only 2,000 texts within the first year, and so that is what we were preparing for, and those numbers were blown out of the water.”
“We tell people about 988 all the time. We have definitely seen mental health challenges and mental health conditions on the rise, particularly since the pandemic,” said Maren Peterson, executive director of NAMI Fox Valley.
Peterson believes call numbers are high because of people having more mental health issues but, also, because of more people reaching out for help.
“It’s not just one or the other — yes, people are experiencing more mental health challenges; at the same time, people are willing to talk about it, address it, to get help — which is just so wonderful. So, it’s both.”
988 isn’t only for calls about potential cases of self-harm or hurting others.
“That’s what’s great about the rebranding, you know. It really rebranded to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and so that crisis piece is more encompassing. Everybody’s crisis is personal,” said Shelly Missall, program manager of Wisconsin Lifeline.
When someone in Wisconsin calls 988 for help, the phone rings at Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin in Green Bay.
Missall says only about 25% to 30% of calls involve suicidal or homicidal content in them.
“Most of what people are reaching out for is other types of crisis.”
These include relationship, job or financial issues, or difficulties managing their mental health conditions.
“I’m so glad that this service has become so much more accessible and so much more encompassing of what a crisis is for folks,” said Missall.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, click here for resources.
