By Barbara Goldberg

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – 988 is now available as a shortcut for calling or texting the U.S. Suicide Hotline in just six months. This comes at a time of increasing mental health care needs due to the growing pandemic. Many states have been slow to roll out the system, while others are still struggling with the pleas for help.

In addition to 988, 800 273-8255 remains in operation as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 800 273-8255 was dialed by more than 2.1million callers in 2020. It is likely that 988 will be more popular than 911, which means there are going to be more people calling 800-273-8255.

States were aware that 988 would go live July 16, and that the responsibility for it was on their shoulders since President Donald Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act in late 2020. The National Alliance on Mental Health reports that only four states passed the 988-page implementation law, including fee measures, to help pay for the increase in calls.

Only a few states have the resources to provide emergency assistance, such as mobile crisis team members. According to NAMI, statewide crisis services exist or are being increased in Virginia, Utah and Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, and Washington.

Hannah Wesolowski (a spokesperson for NAMI), a national mental health advocacy non-profit, said, “In certain places, you might be in good shape.” Call 988 for mobile crisis services and robust infrastructure. Good luck in all other locations.

Margarita Alegria, a Harvard Medical School psychiatrist, worries that there will be more state-by-state disparities “when the U.S. faces an acute mental health crisis among its youth now compounded with COVID.”

Alegria declared that inequalities between states can cause death and lead to unnecessary deaths. This is especially true for African-Americans who have disproportionately few good options during crisis situations.

The United States had more than 46,000 suicides in 2020.

Because local centers don’t have the strength to handle certain calls, some Lifeline calls are routed to a nationwide backup center.

Lifeline reported that callers who are in emergency are often left waiting two- to three times longer when calls are routed to out-of-state centers. They also receive less linkages to local services and are more likely abandon calls.

Washington legislation to establish phone user fees in Washington to fund 988 was enacted 2021. It was estimated that the fee would raise approximately $46 million annually to pay for most of the expansion costs of the state’s call centre. On their monthly billing or retail sales of prepaid wireless, phone users will pay 24 cents per lines. The rate will increase to 40 cents starting January 1, 2023.

Orwall stated that it was difficult to raise fees at this time. “However, the current pandemic is ongoing and more people experience anxiety, depression, and other behavioral issues.”

Orwall also stated Washington will more than double the staff for its hotline.

Federal Substance Abuse/Mental Health Services Administration made public a $282 Million grant announcement in December. This funding was to be used for 988 initiatives. It provided $177 million to improve and expand existing Lifeline networks and infrastructure. The $105 million also went to help states build staff in their local crisis line centers.

Wyoming is working hard to improve its abilities. Kim Deti from Wyoming Health Department stated that Wyoming plans to expand call center hours. They also plan to provide chat, geo-location and text messaging.

Republican Governor Mark Gordon recommended that the legislature approve funding of $7 million for 988 in the next two-year budget. Deti did not speculate as to whether or not the legislature would approve the requested budget during the session that will run for 20 days beginning in February.

Deti stated that Wyoming’s number one obstacle is the lack of sustainable funding for call centers in state.