10/27/2023

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Provides Hope to Ohioans

For those in crisis, there is hope

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) is partnering with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide information to our staff, our customers, and stakeholders about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a free and confidential support for people in distress and a link to prevention and crisis resources for Ohioans and their loved ones.

This past July marked the first anniversary of the launch of 988 in Ohio and across the nation. In that timeframe, there were approximately 12,000 contacts to 988 per month via calls, chats, and texts. Trained crisis counselors/specialists aided individuals experiencing:

• Suicidal thoughts or tendencies
• Substance use
• Mental health crisis
• Any other kind of emotional distress

Ohioans who are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, and their family members, can call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to reach a trained specialist who can offer help and support. The easy-to-remember, three-digit number provides 24/7, free and confidential support to Ohioans in a behavioral health crisis.

For those in crisis, there is hope. The Lifeline works.