Oklahoma lawmakers are moving quickly to secure the future of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as federal funding for the service is set to expire at the end of September.

Without new funding, state leaders warn thousands of crisis calls could be redirected to 911, a system not designed to handle ongoing mental health emergencies.

Representative Kevin Norwood filed House Bill 4092 to create a dedicated trust fund that would support 988 services in Oklahoma if federal dollars are not renewed.

Why 988 matters

The 988 hotline connects people experiencing mental health crises with trained counselors by phone or text, often within minutes. Unlike 911, the service focuses on conversation, de-escalation and follow up care. State officials say the demand for 988 has increased steadily.

In the last month alone, the hotline answered more than 7,000 calls statewide. That figure is nearly 1,000 more than before the most recent surge in crisis calls, according to state leaders.

Norwood said the service plays a critical role for students, adults and senior citizens, especially those who may feel isolated or hesitant to involve law enforcement.

“988 is equipped with people who are ready to help you have a conversation,” Norwood said. “Sometimes that conversation is what keeps someone safe.”

What happens when funding runs out

Federal funding for 988 was appropriated for a limited time and is scheduled to end Sept. 30. Norwood said there is no guarantee Congress will extend that funding.

If the money runs out, calls currently handled by 988 could shift to 911 or other help lines, adding strain to emergency responders and reducing access to specialized crisis counselors.

“911 is for emergencies,” Norwood said. “988 is for when someone is struggling and needs help before it becomes an emergency.”

How House Bill 4092 works

House Bill 4092 would create a 988 Trust Fund to serve as a permanent funding mechanism for crisis services in Oklahoma.

The fund could receive money from state appropriations, federal grants or private donations. By law, the money could only be used for 988 and related crisis response services.

“I am creating the trust fund to hold whatever money does come,” Norwood said. “If any money does come from the federal government, we want to have a designated placeholder for it so that we’re sure it will continue.”

The hotline is currently operated in Oklahoma by Solari Crisis and Human Services, which also deploys trained responders for in-person wellness checks when necessary.

The human impact

Norwood said his support for 988 is rooted in more than policy.

He has spent more than three decades working with students and leading mental health assemblies in schools across the state. He often uses a tape measure to illustrate his message.

“If you pull it out to 80 inches, that’s kind of life expectancy,” Norwood said. “Then we come over to 12 and an eighth and say, don’t make a permanent decision based on this eighth of an inch of your life. Talk to somebody.”

He said conversations through services like 988 can interrupt a crisis before it becomes irreversible.

What Oklahomans can do

Norwood is urging residents to contact their state lawmakers in support of House Bill 4092.

Advocates say public support could be key as legislators debate how to prioritize funding during the current session.

House Bill 4092 is now eligible for debate as the Legislature’s regular session gets underway at the State Capitol.