ATLANTA — Georgia officials are marking four years of the state’s 988 crisis line as the service continues to see increased use among residents.
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kevin Tanner says the state’s 988 centers now handle an average of about 1,000 calls, texts and chats each day.
“988 gives individuals the opportunity to reach out maybe when they’re not comfortable talking to someone else, whether it’s a pastor, or a loved one, or a family member. They can also call 988,” Tanner said.
The crisis line allows people to reach out confidentially through multiple methods, including phone calls, text messages and online chats.
“We want to make sure we’re meeting people where they are, and whatever way they want to interact with us they have the ability to do that,” Tanner said.
Tanner says the texting option has helped the state reach people who may be more comfortable seeking help without speaking to someone personally.
“We have found that especially with some of our most challenging populations, like the construction industry for instance it has a very high suicide rate, they’re more comfortable using 988 than they are maybe reaching out to someone personally,” Tanner said.
State officials say they are continuing to look for ways to expand the service as demand increases.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Jonathan O’Brien contributed to this story.
