California residents can now call a new crisis line for assistance with mental health crisis. As of July 16, those experiencing mental health crisis can call “988” for help.  People can call or text “988” or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

For people experiencing mental health crisis, 988 is a new federal number that is now in use throughout California as an alternative to calling 911,  The 988 dialing code operates through what was formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is a network of more than 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers nationwide.

The aim is to make is simpler for people to be connected to help, and within California, to the state’s network of 13 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call centers.

California’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline said call centers saw a 67% increase in calls between 2016 and 2020. Despite the increase, they also report being able to answer 90% of calls, according to data from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Too many people are experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need, and sadly, the pandemic only made a bad situation worse when it comes to mental health and wellness in America.

There are urgent realities driving the need for crisis service transformation across the country. Some statistics:

In 2020 alone, the U.S. had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes.
For people aged 10-34 years, suicide is a leading cause of death.
From April 2020 to 2021, more than 100,000 individuals died from drug overdoses.

The 988 Lifeline helps thousands of struggling people overcome suicidal crisis or mental-health related distress every day.

Locallly, the Behavioral Wellness 24/7 Access Line, 888-868-1649, is available for direct access to local resources and immediate crisis response. Referrals from 988 may also come through the Access Line. Around the state, counties are keeping an eye on pending legislation that could help fund an increased demand on resources.

For more about Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness, visit https://www.countyofsb.org/274/Behavioral-Wellness. For assistance accessing Behavioral Wellness services, call the 24/7 toll free Crisis Response and Services Access Line, 888-868-1649.