INDIANAPOLIS — The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has been around for more than a year now.
Nationwide, the demand from callers is skyrocketing, and some states are struggling to keep up.
Here in Indiana, however, leaders say their call and text centers are staffed and ready to pick up the phone.
Kara Biro is the state director of behavioral health crisis care.
"988 is available to individuals 24/7, 365 days a year," said Biro.
Thanks to recent federal funding, Biro says Indiana is able to invest well in 988. That includes increasing its staffing since 2022.
"Our crisis specialists are really wonderful individuals that choose to do this work," said Biro.
The specialists, who are the ones answering the calls and texts, are full-time, part-time and volunteer operators who are educated and trained.
Plus, leaders hope to take that training one step further soon.
"We are working to implement standardized training for Indiana-specific calls and our populations here," said Biro.
Since the lifeline's inception in 2022, Biro said crisis calls have increased steadily.
"It's been pretty gradual," said Biro. "The most recent month, we had about 4,700 contacts to 988 in the state of Indiana."
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That's compared to about 3,000 contacts during its first month of operation.
"I think the biggest shift is that this went from a suicide lifeline to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline," said Biro. "Crisis can be something that happens so often you don't even realize it's a crisis."
Biro says that list can include challenges with anxiety, stress, relationships, money, food, and even education.
"You get to decide when you are in the crisis and when you need to reach out for help," said Biro.
Another contributor to the increased call volume, according to Biro, could be more awareness of 988 and its capabilities.
"By raising that awareness," said Biro, "we are seeing people become more comfortable and know that it is a resource that they can actually call someone who is anonymous and just talk to someone."
988 works by establishing three main pillars of assistance, says Biro: someone to contact, someone to respond, and somewhere safe to go.
"Indiana is really trying to lift all three of these pillars at the same time," said Biro.
Plus, Biro says a phone call, text or chat to 988 doesn't have to be about you.
"If you are worried about someone you know or someone you love," said Biro, "you can also call in support of them as well."
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. The U.S. suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.