Mental health is a very serious topic, and a new hotline, 988, which recently launched statewide, provides a valuable resource to those seeking help. The bill that created the new hotline was sponsored by New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and New York State Senator Samra Brouk.

According to Sullivan County Commissioner of the Division of Health and Human Services, John Liddle, every county in NYS, including Sullivan will now offer this “literal lifeline” to crucial mental health supports, including those who are experiencing thoughts of suicide.

“Dialing those simple three digits will connect callers to a trained crisis counselor who can immediately address their needs, 24/7/365,” said Liddle.

In an interview earlier this year, Sullivan County Director of Community Services, Melissa Stickle, told the Democrat that she was looking forward to the 988 service being available to people in need so they could get support from the appropriate services as opposed to “our already overworked law enforcement.”

At the time, Sullivan County E-911 and EMS Coordinator Alex Rau further explained that the County 911 system, along with the EMS and law enforcement community, have seen a significant increase in mental health-related calls over the past few years.

In a County-issued press release last week, Stickle explained that they’ll be working with Dutchess County – who hosts the staffed call center – to implement the service.

“When the Dutchess County 988 operators see a need for fire, police, or EMS to be dispatched in Sullivan County, they will coordinate with our E-911 center to ensure the closest available assets are dispatched as quickly as possible,” added Public Safety Commissioner Tom Farney in the same press release. “People should also continue to feel welcome to call 911 if a life-threatening emergency is at hand.”

According to the County, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and its chat-based counterpart, www.988lifeline.org, will be able to:

• Connect people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis to a trained counselor who can address their immediate needs and help connect them to ongoing care.

• Reduce health care spending with more cost-effective early intervention.

• Reduce use of law enforcement, public health, and other safety resources.

• Meet the growing need for crisis intervention.

• Help end stigma toward those seeking or accessing mental healthcare.

We thank all those involved in making this hotline available and we’re hopeful that the creation of the 988 hotline will save lives!