Meet the people who will answer '988' suicide prevention messages in Iowa
Cleo Krejci
Hannah Green says she never knew what to expect when a call or online chat rolled in while working overnights as a crisis counselor in Iowa City.
Someone could be struggling with suicidal thoughts, or they could be wondering how to help a friend dealing with the same thing.
"We really see a lot of people who call and aren't sure if their crisis is valid," said Green, who works for CommUnity Crisis Services. "Like, can I talk about this — is this important?'"
Her answer: Yes. She's one of the people who hopes the new "988" code connecting to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — instead of a harder-to-remember 1-800 number — will help people realize that "a crisis is anything that they define," and help is out there to address it.
The NSPL will launch 988 on Saturday, accessible via phone call, text or online chat. Messages in Iowa will be answered by staff from CommUnity in Iowa City and Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids, two nonprofits that have been fielding the messages for years.
"It's providing a three-digit access number that's never existed before, reducing those barriers, and connecting people to local crisis counselors so they can receive the needed support 24/7. I don't think we've seen anything as transformative as 988 will be in terms of crisis services in my lifetime," said Sarah Nelson, CEO of CommUnity.
Projections show the messages just in Iowa rising from about 20,000 to more than 70,000 in the first year 988 is available, Nelson said. The annual increase is expected at about 7% each of the following five years.
A recent survey conducted by the state found nearly one in four 11th-grade Iowa students, or 24%, had considered attempting suicide in the past year. In Johnson County, 13 people aged 19 and younger died by suicide from 2019-21.
More:'I'm a safe person': Iowa City advocates want to break silence on suicide. Here's how to get help.
The 988 number is also expected to divert mental health-related calls to 911. The potential diversion rate from 911 to 988 is projected at 1% in the first year, and to increase to up to 20% diversion rate — one in five calls — by year five, Nelson said.
Between July 1 this year and last, the Iowa City Police Department received 583 calls related to suicidal ideation.
CommUnity will take calls in Iowa as well as nationally. To build capacity, it expanded staff from 88 people in January to 175 this month. Of them, 90 are trained crisis counselors.
Drew Martel, director of crisis services with Foundation2, said the organization has increased staff across all shifts in preparation for the launch. It anticipates continuing to add staff throughout the next year in order to keep up with demand.
Green got started with CommUnity as a volunteer about five years ago. Answering messages from people in crisis can be "daunting," but not scary, Green said.
Counselors co-work in a space, and debrief about the work. They are also required to take 60 hours of training, on top of any prior job experience they have.
After taking crisis calls and chats, Green transitioned to a team of crisis counselors that is dispatched to meet with people in-person.
"When you're with a client, the best thing for them is for you to listen and hold space for them. To feel their emotions," she said.
Several options are available for quick access to help:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Other resources are available online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
- CommUnity Crisis Service crisis phone or text: 1-855-325-4296
- CommUnity Mobile Crisis Outreach Team: 1-855-581-8111
- Foundation2 Crisis Center: 319-362-2174
- Foundation2 Mobile Crisis: 319-274-0030
Cleo Krejci covers education for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. You can reach her at ckrejci@press-citizen.com.