Preventing Suicides

Everyone needs to have 988 in their cell phones under the contact words “Help – mental health” and “Crisis – mental health.” 988 is the new nation-wide phone number for suicide prevention and a crisis mental health helpline. 988 has specially trained counselors and operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. This resource provides suicide prevention counselling and information that may save a life. In some communities, mobile crisis response teams of mental health professionals may even be sent to the caller’s location, if necessary.

988 counselors do not automatically call the police. In fact, only a small percentage of 988 calls end up involving law enforcement. 988 is designed to replace 911 for responses to mental health emergencies. 988 is designed to keep those in a mental health crisis out of the criminal justice system. If someone in crisis, or their family members, calls 911, it is best to ask for a “CIT officer” to respond. These Crisis Intervention Trained officers receive special training concerning mental health, learning how to de-escalate the individual in crisis and to recognize behaviors that are symptoms of mental illness.

In Florida, a person may be transported to a crisis stabilization center, when necessary. Under the Florida Baker Act law a person can be held up to 72 hours in a crisis receiving facility if he or she threatens harm to himself or others. After this evaluation period, additional care can be court-ordered.

See more information and resources here, including our bi-weekly confidential support group here at Community UMC:

Mental Health Matters - Matthews Hands

by Angela D. Vickers, JD