Suicide hotline volume increases in Kansas
Contacts with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Kansas increased last year, driven by a sharp increase in texts and chats, according to a report by the Kansas Health Institute.
The 988 Lifeline handled 25,432 calls from August 2023 to July 2024. It also received 13,664 texts and chats, a 50% increase from the previous year.
The 988 Lifeline became operational in 2022. It offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who help people experiencing mental health-related distress, including a substance-use crisis.
Last year, 88.5% of the 988 calls were answered in state, falling just short of the national and state goal of 90% and the previous year’s average of 90.3%. COMCARE of Sedgwick County is one of five centers in the state handling calls.
“As the Lifeline enters year three, continued attention to workforce development, public outreach and service accessibility will be key to ensuring it can meet the needs of all Kansans in crisis,” said Andrew Brown, chair of the Kansas 988 Coordinating Council.