‘It’s OK to reach out:’ Heart of Florida United Way ready for new 988 mental health hotline

ORLANDO, Fla. – Saturday marked the rollout of the nation’s new psychological well being emergencies hotline, and a Central Florida nonprofit group is ready for the anticipated improve in calls.

They’re the opposite voice on the opposite aspect of the decision, at all times standing by to offer assist for suicidal ideas and different psychological well being emergencies.

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“Particularly coming off of two years of COVID and post-pandemic, we’ve seen only a surge and a necessity in psychological well being companies and behavioral well being counseling and substance use companies,” mentioned Catherine Rea, the vp of 211 companies at Coronary heart of Florida United Approach.

The nonprofit serves because the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline disaster heart for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Rea mentioned there’s now a brand new quantity for individuals to name for disaster intervention and suicide prevention assist.

“It’s just about the identical program however permitting for simpler entry by way of 988 dialing,” she mentioned.

Beginning on Saturday, 988 is the brand new nationwide hotline for psychological well being emergencies. It replaces the previous 10-digit quantity. Rea mentioned 988 might be simpler for individuals to recollect.

“We encourage individuals to succeed in out. Please use 988 should you need assistance or if of any individual who wants assist,” she mentioned.

With the better quantity, Rea mentioned they’re anticipating extra calls. The group introduced on 14 new employees members to assist with the anticipated improve in demand.

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“They’re predicting due to the brand new quantity wherever, between a 300% and 800% in contacts by way of 988,” Rea mentioned.

Rea mentioned you will need to perceive the variations between all of the hotlines. She mentioned 988 is for psychological well being emergencies, 911 is for life-threatening emergencies, and 211 is the place individuals can get related to neighborhood assets and well being and human companies.

She provides regardless of the rationale for the decision, their objective is to get help to individuals who want it and to save lots of lives.

“We wish individuals to know that it’s okay to succeed in out, please do. If we may help in any means, we’ll discover you the show you how to want,” Rea mentioned.

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