Summer 2024
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Community Resources Feature Did you know that our entire directory of community resources is also available on our website?
Operations
UPDATE In July 2024, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline commemorated the two-year anniversary of moving from a ten -digit 1-800 number to an easy-to-dial, three-digit number. The transition to a threedigit number and the increased marketing and awareness of 988 has helped more people reach out for help when they are struggling. From 2022 to 2023, we saw a 61% increase in interactions. Since 2022, FirstLink has continuously expanded staffing to meet this growing demand.
FirstLink collaborates with many stakeholders, as well as community and state coalitions. This is in effort to integrate behavioral health support, including mobile crisis services and crisis stabilization, into the 988 response.
Nationally, one of the long-term goals of 988 is to integrate the 988 number into the behavioral health crisis system in the same way that 911 is integrated into the healthcare system. To help us progress toward this,
FirstLink is proud to celebrate the expansion of life-saving services through the 988 Lifeline! We continue to build our capacity to respond to those in need in a timely and supportive manner.
As our interaction volume increases, we want to ensure that our Call Specialists can respond to help-seekers with various life experiences and identities. To reach this goal, FirstLink partners with local and regional organizations to offer cultural competency training. Most recently, we had a speaker from the Veteran’s Administration share information on military culture and resources for Veterans.
You can access the same information used by FirstLink Call Specialists who answer the 211 Information & Referral Helpline by simply visiting our website. Scan the QR code below to get started! Searching is simple whether entering keywords or utilizing the guided search categories. Just don’t forget to start by entering a zip code in the “location” box! If you get stuck, remember, we are available by phone 24/7 by dialing 2-1-1.
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