Additional Funding To Bolster Lifeline Crisis Centers
Effects of the economy are placing increased demands on crisis centers at the same time they face cutbacks from other funding sources.
SAMHSA is providing more than $1 million in additional funding to its National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) through a fiscal year 2009 supplement, to be overseen by the Agency’s Center for Mental Health Services.
Many Lifeline centers must cope with a sharp rise in the number of callers in crisis, often because of financial problems. At the same time, these centers are threatened with significant cutbacks in funding from state and local governments and other sources of support.
Lifeline’s national network now has 140 crisis centers in 48 states. Lifeline strives to connect callers to network centers that can provide referrals to local services, allowing the caller to access continuing care after a crisis.
Data show calls into suicide crisis centers have increased during the past year—54,054 calls in the last recorded month—with between 20 to 30 percent of calls specifically linked to economic distress.
If you haven’t visited the Lifeline Web site lately, go now! Lifeline recently launched a new design to deliver clear messaging to people in crisis and to make the site easier to navigate. Check out brand new content about how to get involved in suicide prevention and tips on helping online friends in suicidal crisis.
Have you made your avatar for the Lifeline Gallery? Go now to share your story along with more than 500 other people.
For more information, visit SAMHSA’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Web site.