988 mental health crisis line adds sign language services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Friday it will add American Sign Language (ASL) services to the government’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as part of an effort to expand behavioral health services for underserved groups. did.

Those wishing to connect with an ASL-trained 988 Lifeline counselor are asked to click on the “ASL Now” button. 988lifeline.org Then follow the instructions.

The department said it will be possible to dial 988 directly from a videophone (a device used by people who are deaf or visually impaired that can transmit video as well as audio) in the coming weeks. That’s what it means. Currently, ASL callers can access ASL services from a videophone by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

“People across America who speak ASL as their first language can now easily access the support they need during a mental health crisis,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in an agency news release. Stated. “This is a testament to our continued commitment to ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to mental health support.”

The addition of ASL services comes as part of an effort by the department’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to improve the accessibility and reach of mental health resources.

The Spanish text and chat service was added in July, a year after the Biden-Harris administration launched the Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. That same month, SAMHSA announced it would also introduce specialized services for LGBTQ youth and young adults.

“We’re talking about mental health in ways we haven’t talked about before,” said Monica Johnson, director of SAMHSA’s 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordination Office, after new ASL services were announced. At a press conference he said: According to a report from CNN.

Demand for mental health services has increased rapidly in recent years, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Psychological Association’s 2022 COVID-19 Physician Impact Survey found that demand for anxiety and depression treatment has remained high for the third year in a row. Meanwhile, according to the Commonwealth Fund, as of March 2023, 160 million Americans lived in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals, and more than 8,000 people needed to respond to a request for services. It is said that an expert is needed.

President Biden has vowed to address the nation’s growing mental health crisis by investing nearly $1 billion into the Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Since Triple-Digit Lifeline began operating in July 2022, it has received nearly 5 million calls, text messages from people seeking help for suicide, mental health crises, and substance abuse, according to data released by HHS. , it has been revealed that online messages are being received through a nationwide network. Over 200 state and local call centers.