Minnesota Residents Embracing 988 Suicide Prevention Line

(KDLM/MNC) – Mental-health advocates hope the revamped National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and its new simplified number of 988, allows more people in crisis to access help.

In Minnesota, providers are cheering the move, but say more work is needed. Over the weekend, the national call-in and text line made the switch after using a 1-800 toll-free number for nearly two decades.

Ellie Skelton, executive director of Touchstone Mental Health, which provides residential treatment and community-based services, said the bolstered hotline is an important tool as the overall system struggles to meet demand.

“And we still need to strengthen the overall mobile crisis teams, police response in terms of behavioral outreach or social worker ride-along,” Skelton asserted. “And also, having more services available to people in the community.”

She pointed out waiting lists are longer now because of a provider shortage. The federal government did provide states with initial funding to help with the number switch, but a new report from the Rand Corporation cited funding concerns for more sustained operations in many jurisdictions, as well as gaps in urgent-care units for mental health.

Skelton noted having stakeholders come together to address these issues is important, as they notice trends from recent years, including older men becoming the most at-risk group for suicide. And like all other age groups, older Minnesotans have felt the weight of the COVID crisis.

“Older adults definitely have experienced a lot of stress during the pandemic,” Skelton observed. “Substance-use disorders are up, suicidal thoughts and depression are up among older adults.”

Skelton emphasized many people, especially women, might not associate physical symptoms such as headaches with behavioral health. But she added those can be warnings a person is experiencing depression.

Experts advised following up on red flags by reaching out to services such as the 988 line can put people on the right path. Despite concerns about long-term funding, Minnesota has four Lifeline centers connecting callers to nearby or state-specific resources.