Oklahoma’s 988 Mental Health Lifeline has answered nearly 10,000 crisis calls and 2,000 text messages just months after its creation.
Right now, Oklahoma stands at a 99.9% answer rate, with an average answer speed of 11 seconds.
“This call volume within the first three months shows how drastically our state needed a service like the 988 Mental Health Lifeline,” Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Chief of Communications and Strategic Engagement Heath Hayes said. “As we strive to shift from stigma associated with mental health, we are glad to see so many are reaching out to 988 for help when needed.”
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services works with Solari Crisis and Human Services to operate the hotline and offer a public dashboard of information.
The dashboard is regularly updated and includes the following data; 30-day crisis call volume, answer rate, average answer speed, stabilization rate, reasons for calling, crisis call volume by month, top five referral sources, dispatch volume by month, and 911 diversion.
“Our goal is to provide the public with a clear understanding of how 988 works in our state. We are proud of how useful this system has already proven to be for many Oklahomans. We hope that by sharing the data, more individuals can feel empowered to make the call or text themselves if needed,” Hayes continued.
Call or text 988 if you are experiencing a crisis.