As many of you are aware, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was rebranded as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline last year, expanding the breadth of its services and its target audience. Over the past year, millions have reached out to the 988 Lifeline via calls, texts, and messages, which is a remarkable achievement. However, questions remain about its effectiveness in helping individuals in distress and whether they would call the lifeline again.
In the past, I have written about the lifeline, emphasizing both the positive and potentially negative aspects. I have always considered the lifeline to be a valuable resource for individuals in crisis, as it offers 24/7 support from trained professionals and access to localized resources that may otherwise be unavailable. I often recommend the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to those in need of assistance.
Unfortunately, a recent survey published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed that only 30% of individuals with serious distress who called 988 are likely to call again. While this may be due to the challenges of serving a larger number of individuals, further information is needed to fully understand this trend.
In terms of success, the ideal scenario would be for every individual who contacts the lifeline to be referred to appropriate resources and therefore not need to call again. However, this is an unrealistic expectation, as there are numerous barriers to accessing and utilizing mental health services. Ultimately, success can be measured by the lifeline’s ability to help individuals in distress, as perceived by the callers, and their willingness to call again if needed.
While there is limited research on the 988 Lifeline, previous studies on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have shown positive outcomes. For example, callers reported significant reductions in crisis and suicidal states at the end of their calls, and a majority of individuals stated that the intervention prevented them from harming themselves.
Despite these positive findings, there are challenges that need to be addressed. For instance, a significant number of calls went unanswered, and individuals faced barriers to accessing mental health treatment following their contact with the lifeline. These issues highlight the need for ongoing improvements to ensure the lifeline’s effectiveness in helping individuals in distress.
In conclusion, while the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has shown promising results in assisting individuals in distress, there is still work to be done to address the challenges and barriers that limit its impact. With dedicated efforts and ongoing improvements, the lifeline can continue to be a valuable resource for those in need of support.
