COLUMBUS — Ohio’s suicide prevention and crisis hotline has responded to nearly 340,000 calls, text messages and chats in the two years since its inception.
Ohio launched the 988 hotline in July 2022 so Ohioans in crisis could talk to trained behavioral health specialists, an alternative to 911 for people contemplating suicide or suffering from other behavioral health emergencies.
The service is free and confidential by calling or texting 988.
“988 is saving lives,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a press release Tuesday. “The lifeline is providing free, around-the-clock support to Ohioans in crisis by connecting them with someone to talk to for help at the moment it’s needed most.
“I am proud of the impact 988 has made in two short years and we fully intend to continue building on that momentum moving forward.”
The hotline’s average speed-to-answer rate is 25 seconds, lower than the national average. Only 2% of calls were transferred to the national back-up call center, according to the release.
Residents of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin counties may also call 1-800-567-HOPE (4673) or text 741741, which connects to local specialists who work for the 988 crisis line.
