Source: Fortune.com
Summary
A new study published in JAMA found that the 988 mental health crisis hotline has been effective in reducing suicide deaths among young adults. The study found that between July 2022 and December 2024, suicide deaths among 15- to 23-year-olds were 11% lower than expected. The researchers used nationwide death certificate records to model what the suicide mortality would have been had the 988 line not launched. The study’s lead author, Dr. Vishal Patel, said the findings suggest that the $1.5 billion investment in the 988 program has translated into measurable reductions in young adult suicide deaths. Experts say the overall patchwork of federal and state funding for call centers remains insufficient to meet the true level of need.
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The numbers tell one story.
The 988 hotline has been a “really big deal” in saving lives, but its long-term funding remains uncertain. The study’s findings are “very heartening” and suggest that the program is working, but experts warn that the overall funding for call centers is still insufficient. The administration has maintained stable funding for the hotline, but the specialized line for LGBTQ+ youth was abruptly cut last summer. The study’s lead author says the findings should be read as evidence that the program is worth preserving and expanding.
The 988 program’s impact is not just about the numbers; it’s about the lives saved and the hope it provides to those in crisis.
Author: Evan Null
