Report: East Tennessee crisis line used more than 95k times since 988 launch

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — It’s been two years since the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched and in that time, CONTACT Care Line in Knoxville has answered nearly 100,000 calls, chats and texts.

Since July 2022, CONTACT Care Line in Knoxville has answered 95,756 calls, texts and chats, according to a release shared by CONTACT. Those points of contact were made up of:

• 69,441 chats and texts,
• 15,757 English phone calls
• 10,558 Spanish phone calls

CONTACT added that 10,483 visitors who used the service were from Tennessee.

Since 988 began, the care line said less than 1% of it’s interactions have resulted in have resulted in active rescues, meaning most people who use the 988 line are able to receive support and resources they need without emergency intervention.

One visitor shared, “I am feeling better and not as fearful. These thoughts are intimidating, and I
feel belittled by them most of the time, but I am learning through [988] that I am not what my thoughts say about me and that I am not alone.”

Last year alone, CONTACT provided more than 56,700 services. Over the past 12 months, the care line has seen a 90% increase in calls, texts and chats.

CONTACT Care Line is one of only eight 988 centers in Tennessee, and is the primary phone service provider for 15 East Tennessee Counties as well as text and chat provider for the state. CONTACT is one of just six 988 centers across the country that provides Spanish Language Phone services and has sustained its nationwide chat and text service. Additionally, the care line is one of 20 National Back-Up Chat and Text centers.

The other 988 centers in Tennessee are Volunteer Behavioral Health, Frontier Health, Memphis Crisis Center, The Crisis Center of Family & Children’s Services, Centerstone Crisis Care Services, Behavioral Health Initiatives, Inc., and Pathways Behavioral Health Services of West Tennessee
Healthcare

“988 Lifeline continues to be a valuable resource for our communities; ensuring safety and support now, and connection to community resources for continued support for grief and mental health needs,” said Scott Payne, Outreach Manager of CONTACT Care Line.

For more information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or to seek help, visit contactlistens.org or call 988.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call the national suicide prevention lifeline at 988 or the Tennessee statewide crisis line at 855-CRISIS-1 or text *T-N* to 741-741 for 24-hour help. The McNabb Center also has a crisis line that can be reached at 865-539-2409.

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