Rep. Orwall’s Newsletter: 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline Update
August 16, 2023
Dear friends and neighbors,
I’m writing to give you an update on what’s been happening on the 988 front, but first, let’s talk about the high temperatures expected this week. During a heat wave, access to electricity and water can mean the difference between life and death. I believe no one should die because they can’t afford to pay their utility bill, so I co-sponsored HB 1329, which went into effect last month, to ensure that utilities are not cut off during an extreme heat event. Washington law already prevents utility companies from terminating services during cold winter months. Extreme weather events disproportionately impact children, seniors, and people with disabilities. With that said, I hope you are enjoying the summer with friends and family and keeping safe, cool, and hydrated.
Mental health has always been a priority for me. I have been working on suicide prevention measures and increasing access to mental health services every session since joining the House of Representatives in 2009. While we have made great strides over the years, the difference that the 988 line is already making is unprecedented.
Since the 988 suicide and crisis line has come online, it has seen a 25-30 percent increase in call volume in King County. We are investing more and expanding this therapeutic response to behavioral health crises. My legislation, HB 1134, supports the creation of trauma-informed clinical teams that can rapidly respond to a person in crisis as an alternative to law enforcement. New resources will provide more clinical options for a person experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Learn more in this Crosscut story:
Back in May, I joined my colleague, Rep. Michelle Caldier, to discuss the state’s suicide prevention efforts, including the implementation of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, on TVW’s The Impact. Watch it below:
As a legislator and a social worker who’s worked on suicide prevention measures for many years, including the implementation of the 988 lifeline, heartwarming stories, like the KING5 segment below, corroborate the value of our efforts and emphasize the need for our continued work in this area.
We discussed the impacts we’ve seen and the challenges we are overcoming on the first year of the 988 line. One of those challenges is getting the word out. Currently, about 82 percent of Americans haven’t heard about the 988 lineyet.
I was happy to share some of Washington’s successes with the 988 line as a tremendous resource that can help people experiencing a behavioral health crisis via call, text, or chat. Click below to watch a snippet of my interview and here for the whole recorded event (the program starts at minute 15).
The Seattle Times ran an article in mid-July marking the 988 line’s one-year anniversary. The new 988 line has already dramatically increased access to mental and behavioral health. It will only get more effective as we promote the line and provide it with new resources. 988 helps us save lives.
Washington has already massively expanded the call capacity for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, but we are not finished yet! With passage of my bill this year, we’ll be able to scale up mobile teams that can quickly respond to crisis calls. We will also be setting up crisis relief centers as places to go instead of sending people to emergency departments or jails where they will likely not get the help they need. This will allow 988 to become a true alternative to 911. Check out this story by Axios:
I also want to make sure you know about the Native and Strong Lifeline that went live in November, 2022, as part of 988. It is the first program of its kind in the nation dedicated to serving American Indian and Alaska Native people. Calls are answered by Native crisis counselors who are tribal members and descendants closely tied to their communities. The Native and Strong Lifeline counselors are fully trained in crisis intervention and support, with special emphasis on cultural and traditional practices related to healing. To reach a Native crisis counselor, dial 988 and select option 4. Learn more about the program in this May 21st OPB story:
Second Nature
I believe the 988 suicide prevention and crisis hotline is the most efficient and effective way we can provide services for people who are struggling when and where they need them. The Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats or texts from anyone who needs support for suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, and connects those in need with trained crisis counselors.
At this point in the process, the most important thing we have to do is get the word out. Feel free to share any of the videos and links in this newsletter with family and friends. The sooner 988 becomes second nature, like 911, the better we will all be as a society that cares for one another.
I realize it’s almost the end of summer and the start of school is fast approaching, so we are all busy, but if you need more information, have questions about 988 or just want to give me some feedback, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
