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988 in Colorado

The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988) is the easy-to-remember number that allows anyone with emotional, mental health, or substance use concerns to be immediately connected with a trained specialist. 988 offers free, immediate, confidential human support 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling, with an emotional, mental health or substance use concern, call or text 988 or visit 988Colorado.com to live chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

 
What is the difference between 988 and Colorado Crisis Services?

In Colorado, there is no wrong door for people to get support with a mental health or substance use challenge. 988 is an additional resource that, along with Colorado Crisis Services, I Matter, and other services supports people with their mental health needs. 

Who can reach out to 988?

Anyone in Colorado can access free, confidential support for their mental and emotional health needs. 988 provides inclusive care to meet the unique needs of communities including youth, rural populations, BIPOC individuals, veterans, and people who are LGBTQIA2+.

When should someone reach out to 988?

People can call, text, or chat at 988Colorado.com any time they need support for a mental health or substance use crisis.

If someone is experiencing grief, sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, depression, stress from a significant life change, thoughts of suicide, or day-to-day emotional distress, 988 is here for them. 

What kind of training to trained care specialists have?

988 trained specialists undergo three weeks of training, followed by one week of job shadowing and testing to effectively and compassionately support people with a mental health or substance use concern. All 988 care specialists also participate in cultural competency training. Peer specialists are individuals who have gone through similar experiences to the caller and are also trained to provide support and guidance on various topics.   

How do 988 and 911 interact?

988 was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. 988 provides easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from the public safety purposes of 911, where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police as needed. If someone is experiencing a medical or life-threatening crisis, a 988 care specialist may ask their permission to transfer the call to 911. 988 and 911 work closely to ensure people in Colorado are connected to the care they need.

Does 988 allow people to connect with someone in their community?

Yes. When someone calls or texts 988, the service automatically checks their area code or unique computer ID and routes them to the call center that serves their area.

988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise Board of Directors

Senate Bill 21-154 established the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise in the Department to impose a 988 surcharge and a prepaid wireless 988 charge; fund the 988 crisis hotline; work with third parties to provide crisis outreach, stabilization, and acute care; authorize and issue revenue bonds payable from the newly created 988 Crisis Hotline Cash Fund; and adopt, amend, or repeal policies to regulate its affairs.

The enterprise is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Governor. Learn more about the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise Board of Directors

988 Implementation Planning Committee Archives

Expand the sections below for archives of the Colorado 988 Implementation Planning Committee's meetings and work.

Meetings
GroupDate/TimeLink/Phone Number to Join the Meeting
Full Committee
Funding & Sustainability

Promotion, Awareness and Education, and Accessibility
Call Center and System Capacity and Integration
Public Listening Sessions
Committee Members
Kelly BowmanHealth Colorado, Inc.
Daryl BransonPublic Utilities Commission
Sarah BrummetOffice of Suicide Prevention, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Judy CampbellProfessional with Lived Experience
Krista CavataioRocky Mountain Health Plans
Jennifer ConradSignal Behavioral Health Network
Lila CummingsColorado Hospital Association
Andrew DameronDenver 911
Melissa EddlemanColorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
Kate FitchPublic Health Professional with Lived Experience
Doyle ForrestalColorado Behavioral Health Council
Christine HarmsSchools Safety Resource Center
Hope HyattColorado Mental Wellness Network
Moe KellerMental Health Colorado
Abe LaydonCommissioner, Douglas County
Elizabeth RichardsBeacon Health Options
Cheri SkeldingRocky Mountain Crisis Partners
Scott SnowDenver Police Department
Mandy StollsteimerWestCO PSAP
Ana VizosoServicios de La Raza
Anthony YoungAssociation of Black Psychologists
Work Groups

Promotion, Awareness and Education, and Accessibility
Consistency in public messaging is critical at the national and state/territory level regarding 988, its distinction from 911 and the range of services 988 provides. Colorado must lay out a framework for how 988 will be marketed within the state. Colorado should ensure messaging is consistent with national / federal messaging about the range of services 988 is intended to provide. Marketing should convey messages of help, hope and healing; should promote the voices of persons with lived experiences with mental illness and suicide, and should include specific strategies for reaching LGBTQ youth and other populations considered high risk for suicide. All messaging should adhere to all standards for Safe and Effective suicide prevention communication.

Funding & Sustainability

Colorado must provide strategies for identifying and supporting funding streams which boost the financial stability of the call center(s) answering Lifeline calls. Colorado will decide how to actualize a strategy to sustainably fund the Lifeline member call center(s) answering 988 calls, texts and chats and follow-up services. Funding strategies may be diversified including, but not limited to:

  • The potential to raise 988 related fees from telecommunication users (similar to how many states fund 911 calls) 
  • Medicaid reimbursements 
  • Mental health block grant funds
  • Direct engagement with state legislative budget committees for 988 specific funding, 
  • Partnerships with stakeholder groups who may have the ability to contribute to 988 resources (e.g. United Way/211, private insurers, hospitals, philanthropic organizations)
Call Center and System Capacity and IntegrationCapacity building at the center answering 988 contacts must occur based on call, chat, text and follow-up volume growth projections. However, current call volume and capacity challenges must be addressed before 988 is nationally implemented on July 16, 2022. In partnership with the Lifeline, Colorado shall ensure that the Lifeline member center has the systems in place to maintain local resource and referral listings, as well as assure linkages to local community crisis services (including 911 PSAPs, mobile crisis teams and other outreach alternatives to law enforcement/EMS response).

 

Resources

Text - S.2661 National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020

FCC Designates 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (July 16, 2020)

Press Release: Colorado begins planning for 988 suicide prevention number (March 17, 2021)

988 Geolocation Report — National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020. Wireline Competition Bureau. (April 15, 2021)

CO Senate Bill 21-154 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network (June 2021)

Press Release: CDHS Statement on 988 (October 22. 2021) Concerning new 10-digit dialing requirement for Colorado.

Colorado's 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise Board of Directors

FCC Approves Text-to-988 Access to Suicide Prevention Lifeline (November 18, 2021)

SAMHSA 988 website and fact sheet (December 2021)

 

988 Data Dashboard

The dashboard provides members of the public with information about the use of crisis services within Colorado, with a focus on 988. 

View Dashboard

 

Materials

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