The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services launching new state-specific branding for the 988 Lifeline to mark the fourth anniversary of the service.
Volunteer Behavioral Health Care Vice President Anne Stamps said the 988 number replaced the previous ten-digit crisis lifeline. The purpose: to make it easier for individuals to remember during an emotional or mental health emergency.
“So when an individual calls 988, it will go to a crisis call center,” Stamps said, “And that individual will be connected with a crisis counselor who will talk to them about, you know, kind of what’s going on right now, signs and symptoms, how are they feeling.”
Stamps said local organizations like UCHRA placed the number on their transportation and company vehicles to increase public awareness.
“There is still some work to be done because honestly, there are still some folks that aren’t aware of 988,” Stamps said. “So we’re doing our best to try to promote that, and be sure that we’ve got information and cards out there, that say suicide crisis lifeline, please call 988.”
Stamps said individuals should reach out to the lifeline if they experience persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, or difficulty making decisions. Stamps said the service is not exclusively for those who are suicidal but is available for anyone feeling overwhelmed or struggling with a recent loss.
“If an individual feels hopeless, helpless, persistently sad, they’ve had a recent loss or rejection, please reach out to the crisis lifeline,” Stamps said. “You know, like I said, they will be hooked up with a crisis counselor and that individual can talk with them and provide them resources in their community.”
Stamps said Volunteer Behavioral Health Care operates five outpatient locations in the Upper Cumberland and a crisis walk-in center in Cookeville. Stamps said these facilities offer medication management, therapy, and care coordination for those needing follow-up treatment after a call.
“In the Upper Cumberland, we have five outpatient locations,” Stamps said. “We also in our Cookeville location have a crisis stabilization unit, crisis walk-in center, so an individual can go to 1200 South Willow to the CSU crisis walk-in center and they can be evaluated there or, for any further treatment.”
Stamps said the state has also introduced a new campaign called “A Promise to Call” to help destigmatize mental health struggles. Stamps said the initiative encourages people to make a written commitment to themselves that they will reach out for help if they experience a crisis.
“988 is there to listen and to provide options for resources and to help people stay safe,” Stamps said. “I would like to add one thing because you’ve mentioned the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, they have a new campaign, it’s called ‘A Promise to Call.’ And how it works is folks make a promise to themselves that they will reach out for help during a crisis situation.”
Stamps said community organizations and employers can order posters, magnets, and business cards from the SAMHSA website to help promote the lifeline.
