SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – It’s been a week since the 988 hotline replaced the original National Suicide Hotline. And dispatchers at Burrell Behavioral Health say they’ve been getting more calls.
Nora Smith has been a therapist at Burrell Behavioral Health for more than 20 years and says the new 988 hotline is for anyone.
“You don’t have to be alone in the middle of the night. You are not well. You really don’t want to be alone,” Smith said. “Call the emergency number.”
Smith said there are dispatchers ready to help at all times.
“It’s a disturbing number, and they can give you resources,” Smith said. “Share, share, let people know.”
Authorities say they want 988 to be like 911, but the automated message will come first, followed by a dispatcher. However, you can also text 988, especially if you don’t need immediate emergency assistance.
Natasha Corkins, director of Southwest crisis services at Burrell Behavioral Health, said they want more awareness.
“It’s important that we get people to turn their calls away from 911 if it’s not an emergency,” Corkins said.
Corkins said Burrell took 988 calls in the area and noticed the first week. There were more than 100 calls, 50% more than the week before the change. Burrell’s staff said they are more than prepared for the increased calls.
“We’ve been doing it for a long time, Burrell has had an emergency line for 30 years, and 988, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, has been around since 2005,” Corkins said.
Corkins said the 988 hotline replaces the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, but Smith told us the numbers are the same.
“You only spend 10 minutes on the phone with them,” Smith said. “But the truth is that someone picked up that phone and heard from them what their heart wanted for that moment.”
Smith said to spread this number to anyone who needs it.
“They can reach out and talk to people when they’re really lonely and remind them that yes, you matter on this planet, and we want you to be around for a while,” Smith said.
Corkins said if you need help with an emergency during the call, they will send someone to help you.
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