Photo Credit - Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Four years ago, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was created.
This simple three-digit phone number allowed everyone a quick and easy-to-remember contact for when they were going through a mental health crisis.
A new study shows that the program, which was created in part by Senator Tammy Baldwin, has saved over 4,300 lives and helped reduce the youth suicide death rate 11%.
Sen. Baldwin said on the anniversary of its implementation, “Over the past four years, millions upon millions of Americans reached out and got the support they needed, and this investment is saving lives.”
In fact, the demand for 988 continues to rise.
The volume of calls, texts, and chats is 15% higher than it was last year, and nearly 50% higher than just two years ago.
Since the lifeline launched, it has received over 23 million contacts, including over 15 million calls, 4 million texts, and 3 million chats.
