LISTEN: What happens when someone calls 988?

SALT LAKE CITY — Signed into federal law in 2020, the 988 suicide prevention hotline promotes suicide awareness and provides strategies to prevent tragedy.

Diana Ballesteros Riano, Outreach Coordinator with Hunstman Mental Health Institute walked Dave and Dujanavic through the specific details of what happens when you call the hotline.

What can you expect?

When a person dials 988, they’ll hear the following options:

1. Would you like to go straight to 988?
2. Would you like to go to the Spanish version?
3. Do you need the Trevor Project, or the 988 function for veterans?

After that point, if the individual clicks 988 option, they’ll reach their local center, Ballesteros said.

Ballesteros said it’s important to note that all calls, including any needed help or deescalation that follows, are completely free.

“We enure that if an individual is in a state of crisis that surpasses a phone call, where we need to deescalate maybe in person, we can connect with teams [from] our mobile crisis intervention teams that will be able to provide that extra support for that person,” Ballesteros said.

Can you call in behalf of someone?

“If you are concerned for a loved one, a family member, or someone that you know, and you feel like you can provide that support by calling, you can ask the individual, ‘hey would it be okay if I call on your behalf?’” Ballesteros said.

“Or if you would like some extra resources, it is a perfect situation to communicate with our crisis counselors.”

Police involvement?

Very rarely will the hotline respondents involve police, Ballesteros said.

“Our whole idea is to provide the best level of care at the lowest level of care,” she said.

That means that if the individual needs deescalation over the phone, they are going to do everything they can to make it as easy for the caller.

988 provides all kinds of support

Ballesteros says 988 is for anyone who needs any kind of emotional support.

“It could be as simple as ‘I’m stressed over work, and I need [extra support],’” she said. “Or it could be more severe, something as suicidal ideation or individuals feeling like all hope is lost,” she said.

The 988 hotline is completely confidential and protected by HIPPA laws.

“We are here to make sure that you have that place where its safe and get support that you need,” Ballesteros said. “All of our counselors care so much about the people that we provide the service to. That is why we do this.”

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Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

• SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
• SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
• SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
• Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

Counties in Utah provide services for mental health and substance use disorders. Centers are run by the thirteen Local Mental Health and Substance Use Authorities all across the state and offer therapy, substance use disorder treatment, support groups, mobile services, youth treatment, and more.

 These resources and more information can be found here: https://www.uacnet.org/behavioralhealth.

Other community-based resources

• NAMI Utah provides education, support and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers prevention programs, public education, support for loss survivors, and fundraising for research.
• Encircle Utah: LGBTQ+ family and youth resource center.
• Utah Pride Center empowers Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
• The Trevor Project: LGBTQ teen resource center.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health
• Latino Behavioral Health Services

Center for Workplace Mental Health offers suicide prevention and re