Ohio crisis line handles 14,000 contacts monthly

(The Center Square) – A hotline established to combat suicide in Ohio received nearly 340,000 communications in the two years since its launch.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the two-year statistics for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, saying the service has grown to provide more call centers than any other state.

DeWine said, “988 is saving lives. The lifeline is providing free, around-the-clock support to Ohioans in crisis by connecting them with someone to talk to for help at the moment it’s needed most. I am proud of the impact 988 has made in two short years and we fully intend to continue building on that momentum moving forward.”

The reasons to call the line include thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, financial and relationship struggles and any other kinds of severe emotional distress.

The state’s 19 call centers handle nearly 14,000 calls, texts and chats monthly. According to DeWine, the average response time is 25 seconds, compared to 36 seconds nationwide.

Also, the average number of calls rolling over to the national 988 network is 2%, and DeWine says that the majority of calls from Ohio are answered in-state by people with knowledge of local resources.

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director LeeAnne Cornyn said, “988 is confidential and functions as a crucial gateway to crisis support within our communities. Our hope is that reaching out to 988 in a behavioral health crisis becomes as natural to Ohioans as dialing 911 in other types of emergencies.”

More than a third of Ohioans have said they are familiar with the service, compared to 17% nationwide, and the state launched a multi-media campaign statewide to draw more attention to the helpline.

“Any person or organization that puts effort toward building awareness about 988 is helping save lives,” Ohio 988 Administrator Doug Jackson said. “The life you save may be a friend, a loved one, or someone in your community. You may never know that you helped to save that life, but together, we can be certain that we are offering hope to those that need to talk to someone.”