This is a recording of the Session 1 panel discussion in the Rising Practices & Policies in the Workforce series, that took place on May 9, 2022. The panel discussion looked at how school and mental health leaders from our region are preparing their workforce for the launch of 988, the new National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

On July 16, 2022, a three-digit, national mental health crisis hotline (mandated by the federal government in October 2020) is scheduled to launch nationwide. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. The expansion of the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program to effectively triage, respond, and stabilize individuals experiencing a mental health crisis will require significant workforce expansion and training. This session invited regional 988 implementers to share opportunities and challenges during this transition.

In this session, panelists explored:

• What is 988, and what might it mean for our region? What are some promising and cautionary elements of this rising practice?
• How might our workforce successfully transition from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline model to the 988 model?
• How might we engage meaningful partnerships in this transition?
• What challenges do we foresee at the workforce level, and what training, resources, or other support would help resolve these challenges?
• What might be some rising practices, policies, and successful strategies for 988 adoption and integration?

Click here to download a PDF of the panel presentation.