Two Years In: Is 988 Actually Helping People Facing Mental Health Crises?

The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

Two Years In: Is 988 Actually Helping People Facing Mental Health Crises?

Curt and Katie check back with the now two-year-old program and identify what’s working and what’s not with the crisis hotline. There is data that it is 98% but there are also concerns that have been raised. We look at reports of data sharing without transparency, increases in police involvement and involuntary hospitalization, and inconsistently (and potentially inadequately) trained hotline workers. We also explore what therapists can do to support clients who might need this resource.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about what is work and what is not working with 988

Katie became concerned about data use and how well 988 is working after seeing some articles from Mad in America. Curt and Katie thought it would be good to dig a little deeper into what is actually happening with this newer crisis hotline.

What are concerns being raised about 988 at this point?

· Data sharing with a lack of transparency

· Different definitions of confidential and confidentiality

· There is not really a guarantee that you can remain anonymous

· Increase of involuntary hospitalization and police involvement

· Lack of infrastructure and lack of local resources to manage crisis response

· Callers may be routed to the call center nearest to their area code, not current location

· Not advertising 988 in high population areas because they will get calls no matter where their community members are due to their area codes

· Training of the hotline workers is inconsistent and may not be sufficient

· Lack of funding to make improvements and develop new resources

What are the risks when someone calls 988?

· The call center staff may not have training to deal with the caller’s issues

· Responses on the call line may be overly focused on psychoeducation

· Lack of time for each caller (without assurance that callers get time to talk through the concerns that led them to call)

· There is a possibility that there will be responses that are truly unhelpful to the caller

· Incarceration or involuntary hospitalization

· Inconsistent follow up if calls are dropped or callers disengage

What should therapists be aware of as they navigate 988 at this time?

· They are reporting a 98% success rate, so this is a resource worth considering

· Make sure your clients understand what to use 988 for

· Help your clients to assess the risks and benefits of calling

· Work to increase the transparency about data sharing, confidentiality and anonymity

· There is advocacy needed to improve 988 as a resource

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/