top line
The three-digit suicide prevention hotline number launched by the U.S. government last year is not known to the majority of the public, even though the U.S. suicide rate has risen 30% over the past 20 years, a YouGov poll revealed this week.
important facts
In July last year, the government announced $432 million to expand crisis centers, change the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and have the Department of Health and Human Services change 10-digit numbers to 3-digit numbers that users can call or text. Said It will be easy for residents to remember.
But YouGov said the number 988 is not as entrenched in people’s minds as officials say. reveal polls Only 14% of Americans could recall the number immediately, and 55% said they had heard it at all.
The purpose of 988 was to reinvent the hotline as a memorable alternative to 911 and “redefine the role of law enforcement.” The Justice Department saidallows people experiencing a mental health crisis to contact a trained crisis counselor directly instead of going through another agency’s police station.
When told what 988 is, the majority (77%) said they were more likely to use it if they or someone they knew was suicidal.
People said they were concerned about the hotline. Thirty-five percent of respondents said they were worried they would be charged for services they couldn’t pay for, 32% worried clinicians would call law enforcement, and 32% said they were worried the 988 clinicians weren’t equipped to handle the problem.
Since its launch last year, 988 has received about 5 million contacts. That breakdown is his nearly 1 million calls, 2.6 million phone calls, over 740,000 chats, and over 600,000 text messages from the incorporated Veterans Affairs Crisis Line.Reported.
big number
92% This is the number of Americans who can recall their local emergency services number, 911, compared to 14% who can provide YouGov’s 988 number, a suicide and crisis helpline. indicated by polls.
main background
Suicide rates have risen in the United States in recent decades. The suicide rate rose from 10.7 deaths per 100,000 people in 2001 to 14.1 in 2021, a 31.7% increase, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. report. Interest rates declined in 2019 and 2020, but by 2021, the latest year for which complete data are available, they returned to their pre-pandemic growth trend. The Americas, the only region covered by the World Health Organization, reports a steady increase in suicide rates. the study It was published in The Lancet Regional Health magazine earlier this year.Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also shows “Suicidal tendencies” (including suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and attempts) among high school students increased from 16% of high school students in 2011 to 22% by 2021.
tangent
the study A paper published Wednesday shows that suicide and attempted suicide rates among teenagers may be directly related to school schedules, suggesting that school-age children’s mental health declines during school holidays. The study found that suicidal ideation typically peaks in April and October and is lower during the summer months when school is closed. Researchers say that trend reversed in 2020, with child suicide rates reaching their lowest levels when schools were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
References
Teen suicides plummeted during school closures due to new coronavirus infection, new study findsforbes)
EU investigates Ozempic makers after reports of suicidal thoughtsforbes)
Nikki Haley accused of falsely linking teenage suicide to transgender student playing sports at CNN City Hallforbes)
Mind Reading: ‘Under 30’ alum Madison Beale details her experiences with online hate and suicidal thoughts in new book (forbes)
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