Indiana 988 suicide crisis lifeline receiving double the calls each month since its launch

INDIANAPOLIS — As the nation’s first ever ‘988 Day’ approaches this Sunday, the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) called on all Indiana communities to spread awareness of the state’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

According to the FSSA, the lifeline has shown signs of success in Indiana—with the number of Hoosiers calling 988 to receive services each month more than doubling since its launch.

”We have a long way to go, but the early returns on that investment are overwhelmingly positive,” Jay Chaudhary, the FSSA’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction Director, said.

According to Kara Biro, the State Director of Behavioral Health Crisis Care, the state now averages around 7,000 calls each month from Hoosiers in crisis since the 988 crisis response system launched in Indiana two years ago.

”Prior to July 2022, we were averaging around 2,500 to 3,000 calls a month,” Biro said.

In addition to four call centers and one text center dedicated to the hotline, Lindsay Potts, the FSSA’s Director of System Transformation, said roughly two-thirds of all Hoosiers have access to mobile crisis services.

”There are 17 crisis receiving and stabilization service sites placed throughout the state, and two more opening soon,” Potts said.

And that’s not the only upgrade the growing 988 Crisis Response System will receive. Earlier this year, Indiana was chosen to participate in a federal pilot program to boost behavioral health clinic capacity.

”Certified community behavioral health clinics, known as CCBHCs, provide 24/7 crisis care through local crisis teams and crisis receiving and stabilization services that are connected to 988,” Potts said.

This comes as the state continues to feel the effects of a nearly $1 billion Medicaid forecasting error late last year. However, FSSA Secretary Dr. Daniel Rusyniak said he’s not concerned that will affect future funding to boost 988 system capacity.

“This is an initiative where we had alignment with the legislature who really led and championed this work, from the governor’s office, and from the provider community,” Dr. Rusyniak said.

The FSSA said each of the pilot program sites should be ready to offer services by early 2025.

If you, or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988. The 24/7 hotline will connect you anonymously to a trained crisis specialist.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).