The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration and 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise are launching a campaign to increase awareness and utilization of the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line.
“The service connects people in Colorado to trained crisis specialists offering compassionate mental health, emotional, and substance use support via call, text and chat,” according to a news release from the Colorado BHA.
Colorado has been ahead of the curve with services such as the Colorado Crisis Line, started in 2014. The nationwide 988 hotline was introduced in July 2022, creating an easy-to-remember number to connect with specialists.
“This is an exciting moment that further demonstrates Colorado’s commitment to leading the nation in providing high-quality crisis services to anyone in our state who finds themself in need,” said Dannette R. Smith, BHA commissioner. “While many people in Colorado have long been aware of the Colorado Crisis Services Line, only about 5% of people in Colorado know about 988.”
Coloradans who are familiar with Colorado Crisis Services can still contact them, according to the release. However, this new number allows others less familiar with crisis services to easily contact someone to talk to.
According to 988colorado.com, common topics that specialists hear about include depression, grief, anxiety, relationship problems, suicidal thoughts and stress.
“The 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise is thrilled to partner closely with BHA to launch this campaign to raise awareness and promote critical 988 services,” said Juan Escobedo, 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise board chairperson. “Through funding from our Board and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), we were able to spend the past year conducting extensive research and community engagement – including conversations with youth and adults – to ensure that the messages included in this campaign are culturally relevant, inclusive, impactful and can effectively reach and inform communities all across Colorado.”
The public is invited to attend a 988 informational session via Zoom on Wednesday, July 31 to learn more about 988’s key partners. The session will be from noon to 1 p.m., and those wishing to attend can register for the event at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D7TLjWxvTi2Bn51l9-Feyw#/registration.
Any questions for town hall presenters can be asked via a Google form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckz6Z1uS_j6acBcNx2Zdc1IZb-965l8Kgdi7uQ27-dlhZXOg/viewform.
