The Big Picture: Ohio is making significant strides in addressing mental health crises with the 988 hotline, launched nationwide in 2022 to provide immediate access to mental health resources. The hotline is increasingly utilized by households, workplaces, and schools to handle mental health emergencies, reducing the burden on emergency departments, according to Mahoning Matters.
By the Numbers: In 2017, mental health and substance use disorder emergency visits in the U.S. cost over $5.6 billion. Ohio’s 988 call-center response rate stands at 90%, highlighting the effectiveness of the hotline in providing timely assistance.
What We’re Hearing: Tonya Fulwider, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Ohio, emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach, involving qualified clinicians and peers alongside or instead of law enforcement.
Zoom In: Ohio’s suicide rate is higher than the national average, with the fastest increases among people of color, younger individuals, and rural residents. The 988 hotline is crucial in addressing these disparities and providing critical support.
Between the Lines: Angela Kimball, Chief Advocacy Officer with Inseparable, notes that strong crisis response systems require funding beyond Medicaid. Without adequate support, individuals may end up in jail, crowded emergency departments, or face fatal outcomes.
What’s Next: Ohio could implement a 988 telecom surcharge to fund crisis lines, a strategy already adopted by several states. Additionally, a federal program under the American Rescue Plan offers extra funding for mobile response services for three years.
The Backstory: The 988 hotline was established by Congress in 2020 and went live in 2022, offering a streamlined and accessible resource for mental health crises nationwide.
Why It Matters: Strengthening the 988 hotline infrastructure is essential to providing timely and appropriate mental health support, reducing emergency department visits, and preventing tragic outcomes related to untreated mental health issues.
The Bottom Line: Ohio’s adoption and expansion of the 988 crisis hotline represent a proactive approach to mental health care, serving as a model for other states to enhance their crisis response systems.
The Life Anew Angle: Life Anew Behavioral Health can integrate insights from Ohio’s 988 initiative to enhance its mission of providing quality mental health services. By advocating for multidisciplinary crisis response and exploring funding opportunities, Life Anew can better support BIPOC and underrepresented communities, ensuring comprehensive and culturally competent care is accessible to all. This aligns with Life Anew’s dedication to uplifting and empowering families and communities through improved behavioral health services.
