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Effective Saturday, July 16, residents have a new way to connect with mental health crisis support by calling or texting 988. Anyone, nation-wide, can dial or text 988 if they are considering suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one who may be considering suicide to receive confidential and free crisis support. The current 10-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 and the Minnesota crisis text line: text MN to 741741 will continue to work after July 16.
“Given the increased demand for mental health crisis support and increased access to the national suicide prevention line through 988, we encourage anyone experiencing a crisis to use 988 or reach out to one of the many local, state, and national resources for mental health support,” said Public Health and Human Services Director Alison McIntyre. “To find information about resources, visit: the PHHS website at www.cookcountyphhs.org and look for the ‘local and regional mental health resources’ icon.”
The national crisis network is looking to bring on new volunteers and paid employees to answer calls, chats, and texts from people in crisis. All employees and volunteers receive training, so if you are a caring person who wants to help those in crisis, apply today at: www.samhsa.gov/findhelp/988/jobs.
The Cook County Local Advisory Council (LAC) for Children’s and Adult Mental Health and the PHHS Department are partnering to raise awareness for the new crisis line and how to connect with mental health support in Cook County. The LAC envisions communities (including the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Cook County) where mental health is understood, valued and supported. For more information on the Cook County Local Advisory for Children’s and Adult Mental Health, and to apply for membership on the Council, visit the Cook County meeting portal at: cocookmn.civicweb.net/Portal/.
If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, there is help available. You are not alone.
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