988 nationwide launch July 16

Since its conception in 2005, the National Suicide Prevention lifeline has fielded more than 20 million calls, and the number of calls increases each year. Between 2000 and 2018, suicide deaths increased 30%.

Saturday, the process to receive health will become even easier as 988 launches nationwide as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the lifeline.

Similar to 911, 988 provides at-risk individuals across the country with a single, well-known phone number and name.

The call first attempts to route to a local crisis center, but if unavailable, transfers to a national call center. No matter where the call goes, the caller will be connected to a crisis-trained counselor that will first seek to address immediate needs, but then provides information for long-term care. Within the call, there are options for veterans as well as Spanish speakers.

“It’s so simple,” said Chris Adcock with Southwest Iowa National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI). “It seems like a good tandem offering to 911.”

Suicide is an ongoing crisis in America. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people. Each year, more deaths come from suicide than from car accidents.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), suicide claimed the lives of more than 44,000 Americans in 2020, and evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated suicidal thoughts and actions.

However, crisis centers are a major factor in keeping the numbers from increasing. According to the 988 Suicide Lifeline, for every one person that dies by suicide, 316 people seriously consider it, but do not kill themselves.

The lifeline seeks to provide locally-based nationwide coverage. “The line, 988, goes to a national lifeline that has been available for quite awhile,” Adcock said. “But they are creating a network across the United States that makes it more local.”

Another feature with the rollout is a text feature. Those in crisis are able to text 988 to receive immediate assistance.

While 988 has been available in some areas of the country prior to Saturday’s launch, the delay has been in allowing cell phone companies and text providers time to make necessary network changes.

Iowa has two lifeline centers - CommUnity in Iowa City and Foundation 2 Crisis Center in Cedar Rapids. These centers are looking to bring on new volunteers and paid employees. Training is provided.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 90% of people that attempt suicide survive and never go on to die of suicide.

“A lot of times when 911 is accessed, it really is a mental health crisis,” Adcock said. “We’re hoping that easy access and the ability to remember 988 does have a huge impact.”

Here are some tips from the Foundation 2 Crisis Center for helping a suicidal person:

What to do

• Remove or arrange to remove firearms or unnecessary medicines from the home. Firearms should be taken elsewhere, even when locked and unloaded.
• Trust your suspicions, take the threat seriously and express your concern. Let them know what they mean to you and that they are not alone.
• Be honest. If you are worried about a teen, say so. Trust your suspicions and gently ask direct questions about whether the youth is depressed or thinking about suicide. You won’t “give them the idea” of suicide just by asking honest questions.
• Try to determine whether the person has a suicide plan. The more detailed the plan, especially with available and lethal means, the greater the risk.
• Encourage the person to seek help and talk to someone who is trained to help with emotional problems. Call a suicide prevention center like Foundation 2 Crisis Center or talk to a physician, teacher, counselor, school nurse, clergy or trained mental health professional.
• Arrange and get a promise with the person to stay in contact. Offer yourself until other assistance has been obtained.
• Be a listener, not a “fixer.”

What not to do

• Do not minimize or ignore statements about wanting to die.
• Do not be judgmental, debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or increase guilt.
• Do not swear secrecy to the suicidal person.
• Do not tell the person to “go ahead and do it.”
• Do not say “everything will be all right” or use cliches like “pull yourself together.”
• Do not tell them about someone who has it worse.
• Do not delay dealing with the situation. Don’t leave the person alone if you feel the risk of suicide is immediate. Call a crisis hotline.

The 988 quick-dialing code is not available nationwide until Saturday. If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, please call 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741.