ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Missouri is leading the nation in 988 crisis hotline response times since its launch almost a year and a half ago.
According to a report by the crisis line, 988 received more than 5,000 phone calls in October... and 94% of those were answered locally with an average wait time of around 14 seconds.
Casey Muckler, the Crisis Services Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, said although of the success locally, there's still a lot of people that don't even know there's a different number to call besides 911 in a crisis.
"When we think about the differences and we try to help people understand when to call 988 versus 911, the way we really phrase it is when every second counts and there's a life threatening emergency call 911," Muckler said. "If there's time to talk and time for support, call 988."
Muckler said this distinction is a necessity.
"We know what 911 is and we know what it looks like when you call 911, and you get that immediate emergency response and support," Muckler said. "But we have not historically had a system that has been built to respond to behavioral health crisis like we do now."
The main goal of the 988 crisis hotline is to provide people with a bridge to all behavioral health services. Whether it be connecting people to therapists, or even just providing advice, Muckler said it's all about actually having accessible resources available.
"If we can keep people safe in their communities by talking to somebody over the phone, or by connecting with a mobile crisis team that can talk to somebody in person, face to face... that person is going to receive a little bit better crisis support in a more therapeutic and comfortable environment for them," Muckler said.
Mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization and receiving centers are being built where individuals can have their behavioral health needs met without law enforcement involvement. Muckler said Missouri has really prioritized these efforts.
"Investment has been made at the state level, our providers are very integrated with one another and are willing to communicate and collaborate on ways to enhance 988 response and ensure people get connected to the right care for their acuity level," Muckler said.
Some people still don't know when to call the crisis hotline, or if it even applies to them. Muckler said they don't define what a crisis needs to entail in order to make that call.
"You don't have to be suicidal to reach out to 988, you don't have to define what you're going through as a crisis to reach 988," Muckler said. "We just know that if you need support in the moment our crisis specialists are there to talk to you."
The 988 crisis hotline has an option to text or chat online if people would prefer to remain anonymous or are not in a safe place to make a phone call. You can text 988 or go to 988lifeline.org to chat virtually. Another service they're working on currently is geo-routing calls. This way, people are routed to the 988 center that is closest to where the individual made the actual phone call.
Muckler said she's looking forward to the possibility of more people knowing and using this service in the future.
"My hope is that our future generations are told [when to call] 911, and then they're also told if there is a mental health emergency, if there is somebody that needs support you can call 988 and get connected that way," Muckler said.