988 hotline launch proves successful, Talbert House fielding calls from across the country

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A little more than a month after the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched, local reports show it is making a significant impact.

The goal of 988 is to improve access to mental health care, and help more people who need it.

Talbert House is the 988 provider in Hamilton County.

“The launch has been successful,” said Alex Rulon, director of community care for Talbert House.

Since the July 16 launch, Rulon says the team is answering about 25% more calls from the 988 number, compared to the former 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) number.

“We temper our excitement for a successful launch by knowing that there are so many people in our community who need assistance, who need someone to talk to, who is suffering from suicidal thoughts,” Rulon said. “So, as excited as we are for the successful launch, there's obviously work to do, because we know that there are people in our community who need help.”

Just days before, Local 12's Jenna Cisneros asked Rulon, "So, come Saturday, if I were to call 988, am I going to be connected to a local counselor?"

"Yes," Rulon said.

Newly-released data confirms that:

• From July 1-15, Talbert House fielded 1,465 calls from NSPL.
• From July 16-31, Talbert House fielded 1,846 calls from 988.
• From Aug 1-15, Talbert House fielded 1,999 calls from 988.

Talbert House fields calls from all over the nation, and about half of those calls have been from Hamilton County residents.

“Talbert House fields on 100% of Hamilton County callers calling 988,” Rulon said. “Talbert House is also one of 12 national backup providers linked with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Essentially, when a caller calls 988, they're connected to their call center in their local area. That call center has 30 seconds to answer that call, and if they don't within the first 30 seconds, that call is then sent to the batch of national backup providers with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.”

Rulon says across the state of Ohio, 988 lines are seeing a 45-50% increase in their call volume as a result from moving from the 10-digit number to the three-digit number.

“We've seen about a 20-25% increase each week,” said Rulon.

Hamilton County may not be as high because people in the community are aware of the local crisis line, 281-CARE.

“In addition to being a 988 provider, we also have our local Hamilton County Mental Health Board funding hotline, which is 281-CARE, which has been in existence for many years, and people in our community are very aware of that number,” Rulon said.

Since the launch of 988, Talbert House is answering at a 93% rate. The team says the goal is to keep that number up, and be at 90% one year from the launch.

Talbert House's ASA, or "Average Speed to Answer," is 13 seconds, which is one of the fastest in the country.

You can call or text 988.

The former lifeline phone number, 1-800-273-8255, will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

“I want people to know that 988 is a resource for them if they need any type of assistance," said Rulon. "It could be mental health-related, could be suicide-related, can be emotional-related. Just know that there is someone waiting there by the phone to take your call to assist you if you're in crisis.”