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Someone to Call, Someone to Come, Somewhere to Go
Effective July 16, 2022, when people call, text, or chat 988, their call is routed to trained, local counselors who are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. Better equipped to handle mental and behavioral health issues in their community than 911 dispatchers, these counselors can provide local resources and referrals when people need it most. Brought to listeners by Sozosei Foundation, The Jed Foundation, NAMI and The Just Trust, the Call for Help podcast on Lemonada Media interviews guests on the topic of 988.
Having origins from the 1980’s, Arizona’s “best-in-class" mental health crisis response system is acknowledged by interviewer and podcast host Stephanie Wittels Wachs on this episode of Call for Help. Connections Health Solutions Chief Clinical Officer, Margie Balfour, M.D, Ph.D., shares her perspective regarding the vitality of enforcing mental health crisis response programs that do not default to law enforcement.