By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    email marketing in healthcare
    Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing in Healthcare
    October 26, 2023
    healthcare claims
    The Role of Communication in Resolving Complex Workers’ Compensation Claims in Healthcare Settings
    September 22, 2024
    Wounds and Wisdom: What Motorcycle Accidents Teach Us About Health and Healing
    Wounds and Wisdom: What Motorcycle Accidents Teach Us About Health and Healing
    February 12, 2025
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: California Set to Launch 988, a Mental Health Hotline
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Mental Health > California Set to Launch 988, a Mental Health Hotline
Mental Health

California Set to Launch 988, a Mental Health Hotline

Allison Hart
Last updated: June 27, 2022 8:11 pm
Allison Hart
Share
5 Min Read
mental healthcare
Photo 101035642 © Katarzyna Bialasiewicz | Dreamstime.com
SHARE

Since 1968, citizens requiring local, fast, and efficient medical care for physical emergencies can get the help they need simply by dialing 911. While this three-digit hotline number is today a given, for the nearly 60 million people in the US struggling with mental illnesses it might not be enough to access specialized emergency mental healthcare.

Contents
What Is the New 988 Mental Health Hotline?How Will the 988 Mental Health Hotline Work?The Need for Mental Health Hotlines and Emergency Mental Health CareAccessing Local and Specialized Mental Health Services in California: What You Need To Know

Responding to the needs highlighted during the National Mental Health Awareness Month just ended, and in an effort to curb all-the-more-frequent mental health crises, California is now introducing 988, a new mental health hotline dedicated to improving access to psychiatric care. Here’s how it will work. 

What Is the New 988 Mental Health Hotline?

As mental health disorders and suicide rates continue to climb, delivering fast and specialized mental health treatments is more important than ever – and, in the event of a crisis, it can save lives.

But, while the mental health epidemic rages on, the state of California has no plans to just sit back and watch. As of July 16, Californians who require emergency mental health care and treatments will be able to dial 988 and access immediate, professional, and customized psychiatric care. 

More Read

beauty tech mental health
Can Innovative Beauty Tech Improve Mental Health?
5 Tips to Recover from Psychological Trauma
Discover the Mental Health Benefits of a Minimalist Phone
8 Ways to Kick Off the Fall Season Stress-Free
How Walking Can Help Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health

How Will the 988 Mental Health Hotline Work?

The $20-million 988 statewide call center, which has been introduced in an effort to curb anxiety and depression rates and save lives, will work similarly to 911 but, instead of focusing on delivering medical care, it will be dedicated to helping people access psychiatric help.

The purposely-created call centers have the resources necessary to identify an ongoing mental health crisis, pinpoint underlying causes, and deliver emergency treatments.

The emergency response hotline will also have the responsibility to manage the influx of calls and redirect callers towards more appropriate services, including emergency rooms, hospitals, psychiatric clinics, or law enforcement offices.

The Need for Mental Health Hotlines and Emergency Mental Health Care

The prevalence of mental health disorders has reached an all-time high across all states, and the effects of the pandemic have done nothing but exacerbate the ongoing current epidemic.

Over the past years, suicide has become one of the leading causes of death in the US – especially among citizens between 10 and 44 years old, causing nearly 50,000 deaths a year.

What’s more, chronic conditions like anxiety and depression have jumped by over 25% just during the first lockdown, affecting mostly young adults and continuing to rise at a vertiginous rate.

In California, 1.2 million people experience mental illnesses, ranking among the states with a higher prevalence of mental disorders and lower rates of access to psychiatric care. 

As of today, the lack of an emergency phone line dedicated to delivering psychiatric care leaves nearly 20% of the US adult population short of life-saving care. So, the introduction of the new 988 hotline is certainly a long-awaited one, but it is only the first step towards providing citizens with the mental health support needed.

Accessing Local and Specialized Mental Health Services in California: What You Need To Know

While the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the current 988 hotline) has been around since 2005, estimates suggest that between 10 and 15% of calls in California remain unanswered due to a lack of resources.

In turn, even if the new 988 hotline aims to provide statewide support to every single caller, a lot is still in the hands of local, specialized mental health centers. For example, in areas where the prevalence of mental health illnesses is highest, such as in the Greater Bay Area, relying on local mental health treatment in South Bay and emergency care, can represent the ultimate safety net for individuals experiencing a crisis.

Ultimately, California has taken the first, essential steps toward providing better, more affordable, and more efficient emergency mental health care. But it is important to understand that, in many cases, crises can be avoided through long-term customized psychiatric care – which is only just becoming more easily accessible for at-risk individuals across the nation.

Photo 101035642 © Katarzyna Bialasiewicz | Dreamstime.com

TAGGED:mental healthcare
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Allison Hart
Follow:
My name is Allison Hart and I am a healthcare blogger specializing in medical topics. Having worked as a registered nurse for the past 10 years, I have gained extensive knowledge about all aspects of health care, including preventative medicine and treatments for chronic illnesses.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Mental Health Treatment
Mental Health

What Is Inpatient Mental Health Treatment & How Does It Work?

October 4, 2024
mental health professional
Mental Health

Things You Must Know Before Starting Your Career as a Mental Health Professional

August 21, 2024
mental health impacts
Mental Health

Facing Drug Charges: Addressing the Mental Health Impacts Associated with Drug Crime

January 5, 2025
mental injury
Mental Health

5 Ways to Maintain Your Mental Health Following an Injury

October 12, 2020
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?