‘It’s OK to not be OK:’ Beshear urges more Kentucky veterans to use 988 crisis lifeline

More than 16,000 Kentucky veterans struggling with their mental health have used the national 988 hotline since launching two years ago.

While the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline doesn’t require callers to disclose personal information to receive support, callers can be directed to the Veterans Crisis Line. In Kentucky, more than 3,700 calls have been routed to the veterans line so far this year, according to data from the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

In a recent speech to the VFW State Convention in Bowling Green, Gov. Andy Beshear urged veterans to seek help.

“We see an epidemic of suicide among our veterans and even our active service members that is unacceptable,” Beshear said. “It’s important we have all of the services to make that individual whole at the ready.”

Since launching 988 in July 2022, more than 80,000 calls have been received from residents of Kentucky.

988 connects those in distress to trained counselors 24 hours a day, via calls, chats or text messages. Thirteen of Kentucky’s 14 regional mental health centers serve as call centers, and the 14th is in the process of becoming nationally certified. That means 988 calls in all 120 counties can be served by a local center instead of the call being answered out of state.

This article is republished with permission from WKYU. Read the original.