A new hotline could save lives during mental health crises — if someone answers the phone

The bureaucratic clock is ticking to improve the system ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Sponsored by   A new lifeline for mental health The rollout of a new mental health crisis line for the entire U.S. is scheduled to happen on July 16 — the blink of an eye in bureaucratic time. People in mental health crises or their family members will soon be able to dial 988, instead of 911 or the harder-to-remember 800-273-8255 (the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). The thinking is that calls to 988 will route people to the care they need instead of to law enforcement or emergency personnel with limited training in working with people in the midst of mental health crises. The new number has been in the works for several years, and the technology is there. Still, only a handful of states have supported it structurally and financially. This week on the “First Opinion Podcast,” Benjamin Miller probes at some more concerns: Who will be answering the calls? And does the system have the capacity to take care of callers right away?   Listen Now Like what you hear? Subscribe to The First Opinion Podcast on your favorite platform. New episodes are released every Wednesday morning. Sponsor content by JOHNSON & JOHNSON MEDTECH Putting medtech to work to solve the complex medical challenges How will science address the pervasive medical conditions that impact so many lives? By bringing the right voices to the table. Treating complex diseases like lung cancer — the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide – requires an integrated approach that blends the best of medical technology, software and biopharmaceuticals. With the brightest minds of these disciplines working together, we can pave the way to a healthier future for everyone, everywhere. Learn how here. Wednesday, April 27, 2022       1 Exchange Pl, Suite 201, Boston, MA 02109 ©2022, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Email Preferences | Contact Us | View In Browser