ALPENA — On Monday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) joined the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to observe the second annual 988 Day.

According to a MDHHS press release, 988 Day is a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The theme this year was “Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere.”

MDHHS states that 988 Day, which happens durring National Suicide Prevention Month, “underscores the critical importance of behavioral health awareness, fostering open communication, and extending support to individuals in their moments of need.”

Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, stated that strengthening crisis care and mental health services “continues to be a top priority in Michigan and 988 is an important part of that effort.”

“We encourage anyone experiencing a crisis, whether personally or through one of their family members, to use this resource whenever needed,” Hertel added.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, is a 24/7 toll-free nationwide hotline consisting of a network of local call centers across the country, according to the release. This network offers care for callers who are experiencing emotional distress or crisis related to life circumstances, anxiety, depression, suicide, mental health, substance use, and more.

The release states that calls to Michigan’s 988 Lifeline are “answered by compassionate and well-trained staff who help connect those experiencing crisis with support and resources. This line offers immediate support to people when life gets to be too much, regardless of the reason for the call.”

In the release, MDHHS cites the 2024 State of Mental Health in America report by Mental Health America (MHA), that illustrates rates of mental illness across the country. The report ranks Michigan at 11th in the country, indicating “lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care.”

The report also states that 23% of Michigan adults are reported to have a mental health illness and more than 424,000 Michigan adults had “serious thoughts of suicide,” in 2024.

MDHHS states that the 988 Suicide and Crises Lifeline “is vital in providing de-escalation of crisis and reducing levels of distress.”

Since July 2022, nearly 261,000 calls from Michigan residents have been answered by 988, according to the release. During each call, individuals are asked to self-report their level of distress. MDHHS states that 54% callers report overwhelming and high levels of distress at the beginning of a call. By the end, the rate decreases to 14% still reporting overwhelming and high levels of distress.

“The 988 Lifeline is a direct connection to immediate support and resources as the average time it takes for a call to be answered in Michigan is 13 seconds,” MDHHS states.

MDHHS explains in the release that people who are worried about a loved one can also call 988.

For more information about the 988 Suicide and Crises Lifeline, along with other behavioral health and developmental disability resources, visit michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.