Will 988 hotline change mental health crises response

In this Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, photo, a man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. Quick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies may soon be as easy as 9-8-8. The United States’ first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline goes live on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Will the 988 hotline be the spark to change how we respond to mental health emergencies?

In this Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, photo, a man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. Quick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies may soon be as easy as 9-8-8. The United States’ first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline goes live on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Jenny Kane

By Micah Yason

Who do people call during a mental health emergency? The police? A hotline? The reality is that in times of crisis, it can be difficult to know where to turn.

Reset talks about the problems plaguing Illinois’ crisis response systems, how the new 988 hotline could be the beginning of significant change, and what more needs to be done

GUESTS: Rachel Bhagwat, director of policy at NAMI Chicago

Josh McGhee, reporter for Mindsite News

Kelsey Di Pirro, director of rapid response and community programs at Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4)