New crisis line gives Hoosiers more options during mental health emergencies

Jul. 20—The Logansport Fire Department was called to the bridge at Third St. around 1:04 a.m. Wednesday morning and advised of a potential water rescue. Logansport Police Department Detective Sgt. Clayton Frye said police were able to coax a young man down from the bridge and call a Four County mobile crisis unit, so the fire department never had to put any boats in the water.

The incident highlights the importance of mental health resources throughout Cass County and the state. Indiana heralded the start of a new mental health hotline on Saturday and encouraged Hoosiers to call 988 in the event of a mental health crisis.

"One serious, lingering result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been widely-recognized by experts all over the country is a worsening of our mental health crisis," said Indiana Family Social Services Administration Secretary Dan Rusyniak.

Rusyniak added that the FSSA's division of mental health and addiction is providing funding to support projects that improve Hoosiers' mental health in addition to launching the 988 crisis number.

The 988 crisis line will not take the place of Indiana's Be Well Crisis Helpline, which can be reached by calling 211 or 866-211-9966. However, 988 is being designated as a simple, easy-to-remember crisis number across the country.

The 988 number is meant to help people struggling with their mental health, suicidal thoughts, substance use or any other kind of emotional crisis.

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Congress designated 988 to operate through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2020. SAMHSA's website said the organization sees 988 "as a first step towards a transformed crisis care system in America."

"Think of it the same way you would use a suicide prevention hotline," FSSA Deputy Director of Communications Marni Lemons said. "Nine eight eight is something you can call when you have significant mental health distress."

An FSSA press release said trained crisis specialists will be available to anyone who calls 988. Lemons said that unlike normal 911 calls, the 988 specialists are specifically trained to help people undergoing mental health emergencies.

Encouraging Hoosiers to utilize 988 is only the first step in a long process of improving mental health care in Indiana. According to the press release, the state is working to create crisis response teams and locations where people can go to receive help. Lemons said the process could take seven or eight years to fully implement.

The state is also placing an emphasis on pediatric mental health care. According to the FSSA release, Indiana entered into an $8 million partnership with Riley Children's Health to ensure primary care offices can provide their pediatric patients with the mental health care they need.

For more information about 988 and mental health crisis care, Indiana residents can visit the FSSA's website at in.gov/fssa.

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