• The specialists are expected to provide a range of services over the phone, including counseling, mental health screenings and referrals to resources.

How do you reach these lines? The Johnson County Crisis Line is already reachable at 913-268-0156.

• The National Suicide Prevention Line is currently reachable at 800-273-8255, but in July, callers nationwide will be able to reach it simply by dialing 988.
• Both Johnson County’s Crisis Lin and the National Suicide Prevention Line are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Why it matters: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is in the process of transitioning to 988, which goes into effect on July 16.

• The Kansas Legislature this past session overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill inaugurating the 988 hotline in the state, after Congress in 2019 authorized 988 as the new universal number for suicide prevention help.
• The four new specialists for Johnson County’s Crisis Team are part of the transition to the new 988 line.
• According to last week’s release, JCMHC saw an increase in demand for these services in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Due to this and the new, more accessible 988 line, the center expects the number of calls to continue to increase in the future.

What has that looked like? According to data presented to the Board of County Commissioners last week, Johnson County’s Crisis Line response team was able to answer 80% of total calls in 2021.

• The county received 49,314 crisis calls in 2021, an increase of roughly 14% over 2020’s total.

Key quote: “Adding these four new positions is a critical step in building our 988 Crisis Team as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline transitions to 988,” said Johnson County Mental Health Center director Tim DeWeese. “The easy-to-remember 988 number will make crisis assistance resources more accessible and save lives around the country.”