Wisconsin Sees Second-Highest Increase in the Nation in Call Volume to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Monday, July 17th, 2023 -- 10:01 AM

(Natalie Eilbert, Green Bay Press-Gazette) With more than 91,000 contacts to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Wisconsin has seen the second-highest increase in call volume in the United States since the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline refashioned its 10-digit number last July.

According to Natalie Eilbert with the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the success of the three-digit number marks a shift in how Wisconsinites are choosing to communicate their struggles with mental health, substance use and everyday stressors, at a time when public health departments across the country are ringing the bells on a burgeoning crisis.

Gov. Tony Evers further bolstered awareness when he declared 2023 the "Year of Mental Health." National data released showed a 74% increase in call volume in Wisconsin when comparing numbers three months prior to 988's launch and three months after, Caroline Crehan Neumann, crisis services coordinator for Wisconsin Department of Health Services, said in a media call Friday afternoon.

In the year before 988 launched, between 35,000 and 40,000 Wisconsinites contacted the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As of 988's one-year anniversary, Family Services has received 71,000 calls, 9,000 chats and 10,000 texts.

That jump in callers, texters and chat users resulted from the department's robust public awareness campaign, which included commercial spots during the Super Bowl in the Green Bay-Appleton, Eau Claire-La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau-Rhinelander television markets and advertisements in the form of billboards, broadcast radio, streaming audio services, streaming video services, social media and websites.

On average, 5,900 Wisconsinites are calling 988 Wisconsin Lifeline each month. Shelly Missall, Wisconsin Lifeline program manager at Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, said the largest population groups using the Lifeline are adults in their middle and later years, with a good deal of gender balance.

Wisconsin callers have predominantly been white, but Missall said they're seeing more people from underserved populations reaching out since the rollout of 988 last year. People with the highest level of formal education tend to be in the know about 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, according to Missall, which speaks to the hard work needed ahead to overcome barriers, she said.

Although the Wisconsin Lifeline serves as a crisis line, only about 25% to 30% of callers specifically reach out with suicidal or homicidal thoughts. The vast majority of callers want to talk about relationship issues, financial strain, difficulties managing their mental health conditions, job issues and everyday hardships.

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