National Helpline

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 As a Crisis Hotline Grows, So Do Fears It Won’t Be Ready

Envisioned as the 911 for mental health, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will soon be 988, with more services for more callers. But it’s already straining to meet demand.

 Implementing The 988 Hotline: A Critical Window To Decriminalize Mental Health

Mental health in the US is in crisis. Suicide rates have increased over the past decade. Pediatric and adult emergency department visits for suicide attempts have substantially increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Less than half of adults with mental illness are receiving treatment, and the demand for inpatient psychiatric care consistently and significantly exceeds supply. This July, the US model for responding to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis is scheduled for a much-needed change. The 988 number is a three-digit, national mental health crisis hotline that was mandated by the federal government in October 2020 with an official nationwide start date on July 16, 2022.

 People in mental health crises need help, not handcuffs

A mental health crisis can be a frightening thing to the individual experiencing it as well as to people witnessing it. Those in its throes need help, but all too often get handcuffs. We have seen that scenario play out from the inside and the outside. It’s time for it to change.

How mental-health crisis centers have tried to weather the COVID-19 storm

For crisis centers like the Trevor Project, the coronavirus pandemic and recent political upheaval have proved to be major challenges for counselors and volunteers. The Trevor Project, like other organizations, had to scramble in March to ensure their employees could work from home. But given the nature of the nonprofit’s work, the stakes were much higher if its systems went offline.

How the pandemic forced mental health care to change for the better

Teletherapy is the future of mental health services. But it won’t be enough to solve America’s mental health crisis.

Mental Health And Police Violence: How Crisis Intervention Teams Are Failing

Nationwide protests over police accountability and racial justice have reenergized longstanding efforts to fundamentally change how police departments respond to someone in a mental health emergency. Many are calling for removing or dramatically reducing law enforcement's role in responding to those crisis calls unless absolutely necessary.

Mental health ‘first aid’ can give bystanders the skills to act in a crisis

Training has gone virtual during the pandemic, and it's more popular than ever.

Police Are the First to Respond to Mental Health Crises. They Shouldn’t Be

"This is the only medical illness that we use criminal justice to respond.

This Crisis Team Has Handled Mental Health Calls Without Cops for 30 Years

While the centre has gained a solid reputation within health and legal circles in the 30 years since it opened, it’s largely flown under the radar. Those who work there haven’t spoken with journalists much before, but they are doing so now as debates over defunding the police and reimagining responses to mental health crises are taking place around the world.

What to Do If Your Child Is in Crisis

Recognizing that your child is experiencing a mental health crisis can be difficult. You may not be sure what constitutes a crisis situation versus a “bad day” or “phase.” You may feel scared — perhaps you feel unsure of how to protect your child.