’Tis the season to be stressed

With the holiday season in full swing, health officials from the Sequoyah County Health Department want anyone who may be dealing with mental health issues to know about the mental health lifeline “988.”

The lifeline was established in July to improve access to crisis services to meet the country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. The 988 dialing code is now available nationwide for calls (multiple languages), text or chat (English only).

According to information provided by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, 988 will provide easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from the public safety purposes of 911 where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police as needed.

The Lifeline accepts calls, texts, and chats from anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis.

“We want everyone to know about this code,” Heath Hayes, Chief Communications Officer for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, said. “Currently Oklahoma is leading the nation in our launch of this service and are currently tied for fourth best in our response outcomes to date.”

The 988 and 911 systems will need to be closely coordinated to seamlessly allow the referral of callers for appropriate care or response that addresses the unique circumstances present with each crisis encounter. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is actively engaged with 911 counterparts at the federal, state and local levels to plan for smooth coordination between the two services, according to the state’s mental health commissioner, Carrie Slatton-Hodges.

Slatton-Hodges said she wants 988 to address and de-escalate mental health crises in the moment, but also to serve as an entry point to connect with other mental health resources. Depending on a person’s needs, that could look like dispatching a mobile crisis team or setting a follow-up appointment with a local treatment provider, she said.

“The launch of 988 is part of the state’s comprehensive crisis response plan and comes at a critical moment. During the pandemic, demand for all levels of mental health care — from over-thephone crisis intervention, to psychiatric urgent care, to inpatient psychiatric care — has grown “so, so much,” Slatton-Hodges said.

In the past, if someone in Oklahoma called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the call was routed to one of two crisis centers in the state, either Heartline in Oklahoma City or Family and Children’s Services in Tulsa. But if those local centers can’t pick up, the calls were then routed to a national backup center. In 2020, about one-fourth of calls to the Lifeline from Oklahoma were answered outside of the state.

The primary goal of the Lifeline is to provide support for people in crisis when they need it most, Slatton-Hodges said.

“Most people seeking help from the Lifeline don’t need the help of first responders. Fewer than 2% of Lifeline calls require connection to emergency services like 911. While some safety and health issues may warrant a response from law enforcement and/or Emergency Medical Services (namely when a suicide attempt is in progress), the 988 coordinated response is meant to promote stabilization and care in the least restrictive or invasive manner.

“People contacting 988 are not required to provide any personal data to receive services. SAMHSA recognizes the importance and the expectation of privacy when a person contacts 988. The network system has several safeguards to address concerns about privacy.

“Any effort to obtain demographic information from those who use 988 will serve three primary purposes: 1) to save lives; 2) to connect people to ongoing supports; and 3) to evaluate system needs and performance, particularly ensuring that gaps and inequities are being addressed.

“The majority of people get the help they need with a single phone call or a conversation with 988’s mobile crisis team. But everyone’s mental health journey is different. A small number of people experiencing severe crises will require additional care in a hospital setting for the safety of themselves and those around them.

“While emergency departments tend to a variety of physical and emotional emergencies, Urgent Care and Crisis Centers are specifically prepared to help people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. Some services they might offer include individual and group rehabilitation, counseling, medically supervised detox, psychiatric emergency intervention, and inpatient care.

“No. Your local Urgent Care and Crisis Center accepts all walk-ins, much like an emergency room.

“Yes. 988 is for all Oklahomans and can connect anyone who needs mental health support, 24/7. Some of the reasons people call include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, domestic violence, relationship and family problems, self harm, suicidal thoughts, paranoia and psychosis, emotional distress, financial stress, stress surrounding sexual orientation, loneliness, and more.

“If you are feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed or suicidal, call or text 988. An operator will listen to what’s going on, talk you through the next steps, and connect you the specific type of help you need. Depending on your situation, that may look like a therapist recommendation, self-care resources, or if appropriate, connection with an Urgent Care and Crisis Center.

“According to…..80% of people get what they need with one simple phone call,” Slatton-Hodges said.

Multiple studies have shown that callers to lifelines like 988 are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, experience less suicidal thoughts, and feel more hopeful after speaking with an operator.

“988 can be used to get help for yourself or to learn how to help a loved one or community member in distress. However, if a person is an immediate life-threatening danger to themselves or to others, call 911.

“If you are needing guidance on how to be there for a loved one, a 988 operator can connect you with resources to care for your loved one the best you can. However, if you believe your loved one needs help you cannot provide, 988 works best when the person in need has requested or consented to receiving help.

“If you witness a community member experiencing a mental health crisis — and they agree to receive help — call or text 988 as well. For situations like these, there are plans to offer on-the-scene help from mental health professionals in the form of mobile crisis teams. As 988’s reach further rolls out over the coming months, more mobile crisis teams will be added across the state,” Slatton-Hodges said.

While everyone’s reaction to mental health struggles is different, there are many warning signs and symptoms that might suggest a person you know is at risk for suicide —especially if behaviors are new, happening more often, or seem linked to a painful event, loss or life change.

“Some behaviors to watch for include: Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves; Researching ways to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun; Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live; Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain; Talking about being a burden to others; Increased use of alcohol or drugs; Acting anxious or agitated, or behaving recklessly; Sleeping too little or too much; Withdrawing or isolating themselves; Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge; Extreme mood swings “If you are concerned that someone you know or love is considering ending their life, 988 can help. Call or text any time to get connected with a local operator, who can connect your resources and guide you on how to safely help the situation,” Slatton-Hodges said.