USA Today: Since its founding in 2007, Solari Crisis & Human Services has taken crisis calls from people who are experiencing mental health issues or experiencing suicidal ideation. Today, the Tempe-based nonprofit operates one of the largest crisis call centers by volume in the country.
Solari answers 988 calls – the three-digit number for the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – made from Arizona and Oklahoma phone numbers at its call centers in both states. The nonprofit is also a national backup center for 988, responding to calls from states that lack the resources to handle volume surges. Solari is also one of four providers nationally that takes calls for the new LGBTQI+ youth specialty sub-line on 988.
The 988 national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched in July 2022. The 988 number isn’t only for suicide. It is available for anyone experiencing any mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, addiction issues and violent or abusive situations.
“988 is a vital resource to help people before situations reach a crisis point, and we are a trusted leader in the crisis and human services space. Our caring and well-prepared crisis specialists have the knowledge, education and training to help save lives,” said Andrew Erwin, Solari president.
988 calls to Solari’s locations in both states have increased by more than 1,000 per month since the 988 line was launched. Today, the nonprofit takes more than 6,000 calls each month in Arizona and over 5,000 calls each month in Oklahoma.
English- and Spanish-speaking operators in both states are available 24/7/365, and assistance is available in other languages using real-time interpreter services.
Nearly 80% of 988 calls are resolved over the phone. And if a crisis can’t be resolved over the phone, a mobile crisis team can be dispatched to meet with the caller in person. Transportation also can be provided to take a caller to a safe place or treatment center.
All 988 calls, texts and chats are free and confidential.
Solari’s operators have a 98.9% average answer rate, and each call is answered within seconds – even faster than many 911 lines. After talking with a Solari representative, 75% of callers report feeling better.
The 988 number replaced the 10-digit national suicide prevention hotline – 800-273-TALK – so people would have an easy number to remember to call for mental health issues. The 800 number is still operating, and calls to it are connected to 988 crisis call centers.
988 crisis centers hope that the three-digit number becomes as familiar to the public as 911 has.
“The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline has saved many lives over the last two years, and it will continue to save even more lives as it enters the public consciousness in the way the 911 number has,” said Beth Brady, Solari’s Chief Brand and Development Officer. “911 is for physical emergencies when there is an immediate danger to people; while 988 is a mental health resource that can help people before situations reach a crisis point. Both numbers are invaluable.”
To learn more about how Solari Crisis & Human Services answers crisis calls from its centers in Arizona and Oklahoma, visit solari-inc.org.