DOH News Release: 988 launch will expand access to mental health, substance use crisis services
Published on Jul 14, 2022 in Most Current Department News, Newsroom
HONOLULU– On Saturday, July 16, Hawaiʻi will embrace the nationwide 988- calling code for direct access to mental health and substance use crisis resources. The brand-new three-digit number is anticipated to boost access to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s (DOH) Hawaiʻi CARES crisis helpline for crisis services, mental and psychological health assistance, and substance abuse healing.
People with an 808 location code contact number can call 988 to get in touch with the Hawaiʻi CARES crisis line. People who call from other location codes will be gotten in touch with a crisis center in another state. Anybody can continue to reach Hawaiʻi CARES by calling 808-832-3100 or 1-800-753-6879; or utilizing the chat function at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.
” The 988 launch shows an across the country dedication to focusing on mental health and increasing access to resources,” stated Marian Tsuji, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health. “In Hawaiʻi, 988 includes to the manner ins which individuals can reach the CARES Crisis Line. Our personnel will continue to link individuals throughout Hawaiʻi with mental health and substance use healing resources.”
In 2021, Hawaiʻi CARES got 101,151 calls. Hawaiʻi CARES is administered by DOH with assistance from CARE Hawaiʻi and Aloha United Method.
Hawaiʻi CARES supplies 24/7 totally free and personal assistance to individuals in mental- health or substance use associated distress. In your area trained and certified medical and crisis call center personnel offer encouraging therapy, evaluating for immediate or emerging mental health or substance use requires, and recommendations to behavioral health resources. DOH’s wraparound services link CARES callers and others with crisis mobile outreach and other services.
Hawaiʻi CARES becomes part of the National Suicide Avoidance Lifeline, a network of over 200 independent crisis centers geared up to assist individuals in mental health associated distress or experiencing a self-destructivecrisis In 2020, Congress designated the 988 calling code to run through the National Suicide Avoidance Lifeline to enhance access to mental health crisis services in such a way that satisfies growing nationwide requirement.
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