Spread the Word about Upcoming Community Listening Sessions on 911 and 988 in Washington State

Washington State’s Department of Health (DOH) has contracted with Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA) to further DOH’s efforts to expand access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Specifically, HMA’s work will guide the processes used to divert appropriate mental health crisis and substance use crisis calls from 911 to the 988 Lifeline. This work involves multiple steps. One of the first steps involves engaging community members to learn their thoughts about the connections between 911 and the broader mental health and substance use crisis care system, including the 988 Lifeline.

Purpose 

The goal of these community listening sessions is to gather thoughts on the connection between 911 and the mental health and substance use crisis care system, including the 988 Lifeline. What are the current challenges, strengths, and opportunities for improvement? How should 911 callers experiencing mental health or substance use crises be transferred to 988? This input will inform work focused on diverting certain mental health and substance use calls from 911 to 988.

When 

HMA will conduct online community listening sessions on:

Who 

All those who, live, work and spend time in Washington state are invited to participate in these listening sessions. We welcome all input, but we’d particularly like to hear from people who have lived experience with:

  • Mental health crises 

  • Substance use crises

  • Attempted suicide

  • Outreach to 911 or 988

  • Interactions with criminal justice or law enforcement response

DOH asks all partners to share information about these upcoming listening sessions with their networks and the communities they serve. Participants will receive a $25 gift card for their time.

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For questions about the 988 program at the Washington State Department of Health, please email 988ProgramInfo@doh.wa.gov. Do not use this inbox if you or someone you know needs crisis support. Instead, call or text 988 or chat with the 988 Lifeline online.

CHA Washington