The Network of New Yorkers with Mental Illness is pushing to expand the budget and staff of the crisis hotline, 988, to replace 911 as the city’s default system for reporting mental health emergencies.
a report 65% of mental health crisis calls in the city will be made to 911 in 2022, according to a report released Tuesday by Fountain House, an organization that connects people with severe mental illness to clinical support and housing. I understand.
According to the report, the remaining 35% of these calls are made to 988 numbers nationwide, directing callers to regional centers where counselors are available by phone, text or chat. The report found that out of 95,000 calls to 988 last year, about 25,000 were answered directly by city officials. mobile crisis teamIt consists of nurses, social workers and psychiatrists.
Last year, New Yorkers made an average of 726 mental health crisis calls at 911 and 988 each day, according to data from the report. The group wants New York City to expand the crisis hotline’s budget and staff so it can handle them all.
Fountain House members said they see 988 as a way to reform the response to mental health emergencies, but said the city also needs to improve its hotline.
One Fountain House member, who requested anonymity for privacy reasons, said the 988 hotline is often more bureaucratic than helpful. She called her number after being sexually assaulted at her family’s home last Christmas and receiving a scripted list of questions.
“They asked me if I had delusions or hallucinations,” she said. “They didn’t believe me… I think the questions are helpful to them, but sometimes they aren’t helpful to me. It’s like being interrogated.”
She called again later that afternoon, but this time there was no mention of sexual assault.
“I just learned how to talk to them so that I wouldn’t be treated like crazy,” she said.
But she said the days when she’s contemplating self-harm aren’t easy.
federal government invested $400 million Last year, in the 988 system to help local governments build call centers.State Department of Mental Health Made a One-Time Investment $10.8 million last year.
This hotline is operated locally by NYC Well and the non-profit organization Vibrant Emotional Health. Fountain House hopes the city and state will provide regular annual funding to expand the hotline and make it more helpful in reporting crises.
Fountain House policy analyst Lena Aron said: “Often that simple thing will be something people start to feel heard.”
“The city is committed to building valuable mental health resources,” said a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Health and Mental Health, which operates a local 988 call center.
Despite its current shortcomings, Fountain House members say 988 is still a better tool than 911 for reporting mental health emergencies.
The fear of violent police encounters and involuntary hospitalization weighs heavily on many of the group’s members, especially those who are black or brown.
NYPD officers have shot dead two men in the Bronx during a mental health crisis in recent weeks. Police said one of the men had a knife and the other had scissors when the man was shot.
Fountain House called on the city to invest in strong escalation training for police and a health-driven response to mental health emergencies when someone has a weapon.
Group members also point out that the city is not hiring enough mobile crisis management teams to meet local demand for mental health support.there is just 19 teams spread across 5 districts The city says it operates 12 hours a day.
This article has been updated with comments from a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Mental Health.
