04 Mar Vibrant Emotional Health Provides Sojourner Recovery Services with 988 State Planning Grant
Vibrant Emotional Health Provides Sojourner Recovery Services with 988 State Planning Grant
Grant Monies Will Be Used to Prepare Ohio for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 988 Dialing Code, Effective July 2022
Hamilton, OH (March 3, 2021) – Sojourner Recovery Services is pleased to announce it has received the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 988 State Planning Grant through Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline). Through the grant, Sojourner will participate in the development of strategic plans for Ohio in preparation for the projected infrastructure needs, volume growth, and access to the Lifeline’s new 988 number. Vibrant has awarded grants to 49 states and territories.
In July 2022, 988 will become the national three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, replacing the current phone number of 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Americans needing support should continue to call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) until then.
“Access to mental health and crisis support has never been more critical for Americans,” said Kimberly Williams, President and CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health. “Vibrant is committed to providing the states and territories with some of the resources they’ll need to plan for the implementation of 988 and to support their local crisis centers. By working together, we will
increase access to care, reduce the stigma around mental health and, ultimately, save lives.”
Alongside Butler Behavioral Health and the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Warren and Clinton Counties, Sojourner will develop clear roadmaps to address coordination, capacity, funding, and communications surrounding the launch of 988. Sojourner will collaborate with state leadership, suicide prevention experts, people with lived experience, and others to create a 988 implementation plan and support the Lifeline’s operational, clinical, and performance standards that allow access to care.
“Our hotline maintains a person-centered approach while furthering our vision to save lives, foster hope, and strengthen our community. We are excited to begin this collaboration, and I anticipate that the 988 dial code will help our community immensely!” Scott Gehring, CEO Community Health Alliance.
“Having one centralized emergency number for behavioral health is a wonderful first step in providing excellent care to any individual experiencing a crisis. This takes the guesswork out of trying to call the right crisis response team during an emergency. Our call center currently answers Lifeline calls for Butler, Clinton, Montgomery, Preble and Warren Counties. We are thrilled to offer this service to our community so that callers can speak with someone who knows the resources local to them and can provide appropriate crisis intervention services when needed.” Jillane Holland; Executive Director, Sojourner Recovery Services.
“An easy to use, single point to crisis help such as 9-8-8 will be a major new asset not only nationally but also to the communities we serve,” said Colleen Chamberlain, executive director at Mental Health Recovery Board Serving Warren & Clinton Counties. “The ability to easily dial three digits to obtain crisis help creates an opportunity for a faster response to de-escalating the crisis and connection to further assistance from a local service provider, just like 9-1-1 enables law enforcement, fire or EMS to respond quickly to medical or home emergencies.”
Vibrant believes the new 988 number, once implemented, will ensure the Lifeline will continue to be America’s mental health safety net by providing emotional support for people in distress, reducing suicides and mental health crises, and providing a pathway to well-being for all.
About Sojourner Recovery Services
About Sojourner Recovery Services
Sojourner is committed to be the provider of choice for individuals, families, and communities in need of substance abuse and mental health services. Through comprehensive, evidence-based practices and individualized services, we empower those we serve to make positive choices that contribute to healthy and productive lives. Sojourner provides a full spectrum of community services including crisis intervention, residential substance use treatment, medical based interventions, and outpatient services. Visit SojournerRecovery.org and follow us on Instagram
About the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a leader in suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 180 local crisis centers, uniting local resources with national best practices. Since its inception in 2005, the Lifeline has engaged in innovative public messaging, development of best practices in mental health, creative partnerships, and more to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention for all. suicidepreventionlifeline.org
About Vibrant Emotional Health
Vibrant Emotional Health is a non-profit organization that helps individuals and families achieve emotional wellbeing. For over 50 years, our groundbreaking solutions have delivered high-quality services and support, when, where and how people need it. We offer confidential emotional support through our state-of-the-art contact center and crisis hotline services that use leading edge telephone, text and web-based technologies and include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, NFL Life Line and NYC Well. Through our community wellness programs individuals and families obtain supports and skills they need to thrive. Our advocacy and education initiatives promote mental wellbeing as a social responsibility. Each year we help more than 2.5 million people live healthier and more vibrant lives. We’re advancing access, dignity and respect for all and revolutionizing the system for good. Visit vibrant.org. And follow Vibrant on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.