A little more than a year ago, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline adopted the shorter number 988. Since then, mental-health advocates in Connecticut and across the U.S. are seeing great results.

The United Way of Connecticut reported a 125% increase in calls since the new number was established.

Lisa Tepper-Bates, president and CEO of the United Way of Connecticut, said although the state had the lifeline for years under the previous number, they were not expecting such a steep increase when the number changed.

"I would say that did surprise us," Tepper-Bates acknowledged. "But I'm proud, also, to say that we not only managed it, but our team has consistently been a top performer in the nation in making sure to pick up every call quickly."

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported Connecticut has around a 90% answer rate for all calls. In the future, she hopes to find ways to have 988 in Connecticut work better with other mental health services, particularly those focusing on youth mental health in the state.

Anyone suffering from suicidal thoughts should contact 988 or look into mental health treatment options.

Recently, the state opened several Urgent Crisis Centers for youths to visit, rather than going to the emergency room.

Stephanie Bozak, clinical behavioral health manager in the Children's Mental Health Unit for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, described how the new centers work in conjunction with 988.

"In our continuum, we wanted somewhere to call if families are seeking help and 988 connects with our mobile crisis unit in Connecticut," Bozak explained. "We have a youth-serving mobile crisis unit that can actually go out to the families and work with them."

Youth mental health issues have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut and the nation. Mental Health America's State of Mental Health Report found around 16% of youths in the state have had at least one major depressive episode, a slight increase from 2022.

Ann Irr Dagle, tri-chair of the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board, said the phone number shift has made a big difference in helping people. But she cautioned other states are in need of additional funding to have a continuum of care branching from 988.

"It's great to have the number, but you need the continuum of care," Irr Dagle contended. "You need not only the trained staff to answer the calls, you need the responders to go out and respond, and then you need the treatment. So, that money needs to go to all of the above."

The Kaiser Family Foundation found while federal dollars support 988, nationally, states are responsible for footing the bill of the crisis call centers. Typically, they have received minimal federal funding, somewhere between $2,500 and $5,000 annually.


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Indiana families are preparing kids for back-to-school season, and mental-health experts say emotional readiness is just as important as school supplies.

Beth Trammell, a psychologist and professor at Indiana University East, said kids often carry anxiety into the new school year. She encouraged parents to help children identify those fears.

"We as parents or caregivers think, 'Don't worry, or don't stress.' Instead, we might want to say, 'OK, well, let's talk about what it is you're worried about. What is the worst thing you think could happen?' If we draw it out of them," she said, "it may give them space to kind of let that out."

Helping kids feel heard can reduce stress. But experts also urge balance, keeping mornings calm, easing into routines, and not overloading schedules the first few weeks.

Nicole Brady, chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare, said mental-health support should remain a priority throughout the year.

"Though we want our kids to be involved in activities and be social," she said, "we have to watch their academic performance, their mood, those sleep patterns, and making sure that those are staying healthy."

Brady added that parents should talk regularly with kids, model healthy coping and seek help early if warning signs appear.


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After a legislative session which opened doors to expand mental health care services across Montana, a state commission said it is considering the Billings area to build the state's second forensic facility.

For people involved in Montana's justice system whom a judge has deemed not mentally fit for their own defense, there are 53 beds in the state's only forensic facility in Galen. The daily waitlist hovers at about 100 people.

Matt Kuntz, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Montana, said it is not meeting the immense need.

"It's just a really bad situation for the people that are in the jails, for the people that are caring for them, for the taxpayers," Kuntz outlined. "It just doesn't work for anybody."

At a recent commission meeting, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton said the state is identifying a location for a new facility. The department received nearly $27 million from the state in April to fund project planning.

Kuntz noted the Montana Legislature passed many bills this session centered on mental health care.

"We really were able to get big wins in access to outpatient care, access to crisis care and for people in need of forensic hospital," Kuntz explained. "Overall, it was really an amazing legislative session for Montanans with mental health conditions."

Other mental health legislation will boost school-based services, youth in residential care, the state's 988 crisis line and certified community behavioral health clinics.


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The California Parent and Youth Helpline is in serious jeopardy after Gov. Gavin Newsom cut it from the new state budget, saying the money was needed to support medical services.

Advocates said they are puzzled because the governor has championed the helpline for years, and lawmakers approved $3 million from a separate fund dedicated to mental health, which does not affect the deficit.

Lisa Pion-Berlin, president and CEO of the nonprofit Parents Anonymous, which runs the helpline, said it is still operating 24/7, for now.

"We're holding on for the next month or so," Pion-Berlin pointed out. "But we need the state to step up, or one of these well-off philanthropists who cares about having that immediate help for emotional support, which is so vital."

Advocates are hoping funding can be restored via a budget trailer bill in the next few weeks. People can call or text and reach the helpline's trained counselors at 877-427-2736. The free helpline has connected with more than 120,000 people since its inception five years ago, and the website CAParentYouthHelpline.org has reached a million more.

Pion-Berlin noted a study in the Journal of Technology in Human Services found a call to the helpline can quickly ease parents' suffering and feelings of isolation.

"The research said that 85% of the callers in less than 30 minutes feel more positive, more hopeful and able to address their issues," Pion-Berlin reported. "There is no other service or pill I know that can do that in 30 minutes or less."

Parents Anonymous also offers free weekly support groups to steer parents and kids through emotional crises of all kinds.