Georgia’s 988 mental health crisis hotline took in almost 38,000 calls, text and chat messages in its first 45 days of operation. And while the line’s demographics data are preliminary, state health officials say the numbers are promising.
“The way people are using this three-digit dial may be making it possible for people who have been traditionally underserved to seek support more readily,” said Judy Fitzgerald, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. “We do have early evidence that people we know need help who have been traditionally underserved are finding their way to support through this 988 line.”
The national crisis hotline launched in July. It’s designed to answer calls, texts and chat messages from people experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis within seconds, and refer callers to phone or nearby in-person counseling or other inpatient or outpatient services they may need.
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