Wisconsin Department of Health Services Implementing Next Phase of 988 Lifeline Plan

Friday, February 10th, 2023 -- 12:01 PM

(Bob Hague, WRN) Implementation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Wisconsin is moving to its next phase.

Department of Health Services Crisis Services Coordinator Caroline Crehan Neumann says the message is simple. “If you are in a mental health or substance use crisis you can call or text nine eight eight or chat nine eight eight lifeline-dot- org.”

A year-long, multimedia campaign aims to make sure all state residents know this free and confidential service is here. “Nobody is excluded from experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis so that's why the campaign is statewide and we're trying to target as many people as we can.”

This is a year-long, multimedia campaign that aims to make sure all state residents know this free and confidential service is here. "We'll be pushing out animated ads, static ads, commercials with video and audio and the main message is that there is help if you are going through a mental health or substance use crisis.”

Neumann says the campaign includes groups at higher risk of suicide, “So those include the LGBTQ plus communities. Those include men from 45 to 54. Native Americans. And so the hope is that they will reach certain groups so that we can get people the help that they need.”

Anyone, anywhere in the state can call, text or chat 24/7 to reach a trained counselor.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.