ABC News (10/10, Cahan) reports, “In the face of widespread staffing shortages amid the ballooning demand, 988 centers all over the country are being forced to make…tough decisions for frequent callers, sources informed ABC News.” The article adds, “According to Vibrant Emotional Health, the national organization administering the new 988 hotline, crisis centers across the country are using callers’ names, numbers or even ‘the sound of their voice’ to potentially limit services.” However, “leading mental health professionals disagree that such an approach is likely to help patients.” Mark Olfson, a psychiatrist and former chairman of the scientific advisory committee for the American Psychiatric Association, said, “I am aware of no evidence that restricting crisis mental health services leads to positive outcomes.”
Related Links:
— “Amid nationwide mental health crisis, suicide prevention hotlines struggle with repeat callers,”Eli Cahan, ABC News, October 10, 2023