988 Crisis Response: Policy Messaging Toolkit
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
988 Crisis Response:
Policy Messaging Toolkit
Introduction
With Americans reporting increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation amid the pandemic—and
experiencing more risk factors for suicide (job loss, financial strain, social isolation, hopelessness,
substance misuse)—now, more than ever, we need to get people help when and where they need it.
Approved by Congress in 2020 and set to go live nationwide by July 2022, 988 will serve as America's first
three-digit crisis number dedicated to mental health, and as an alternative to 911 for mental health-
related crises. For example, if someone is having suicidal thoughts, if someone is experiencing delusions,
or if someone is displaying severe symptoms of a mental health condition, 988 can provide a specialized,
mental health response that will save lives and preserve community resources.
But a number alone is not enough. It is vital that we act now to put in place a comprehensive, fully-
funded crisis response system that works for everyone, especially those disproportionately impacted,
such as communities of color. Given the urgency of ensuring such infrastructure is in place ahead of the
July 2022 launch, it is imperative that state and federal policymakers are equipped with the information
they need to help make policy decisions that will support this groundbreaking new resource. That’s why
the Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID-19 (National Response) and The CEO
Huddle came together to develop collective, aligned policy-focused messaging focused on 988.
Every American, every organization, and every sector can play an important role in ensuring that 988 goes
beyond just a three-digit number, and has the infrastructure and support needed to provide the care
those in crisis need and deserve. To help you and your team easily integrate policy-focused 988 crisis
response messaging as you communicate with state and federal policymakers, we’ve developed this
simple toolkit that includes:
• an infographic;
• a customizable PowerPoint template;
• one-pagers for state and federal policymakers;
• key talking points;
• sample social media posts; and
• customizable e-newsletter and website language.
Please share this resource widely within your network. Thank you in advance for your support in helping
to promote these critical 988 crisis response policy-focused messages.
Sincerely,
National Response and The CEO Huddle
1
Tools and Resources
Infographic
This infographic visually represents the importance of a
988 crisis response system. Use the infographic by posting
on social media; including it in blog posts or e-newsletters;
or sharing it during meetings with those who have the
power to influence change.
Download the Infographic Here
Customizable PowerPoint Template
This customizable PowerPoint template can be used for advocacy meetings/webinar, Congressional
briefings, or other opportunities to reach advocates and/or policymakers about strengthening our crisis
response infrastructure ahead of 988 implementation.
National Response and Download the PowerPoint
The CEO Huddle: Template Here
988 and Crisis Services
www.amylkennedy.net
2
One-Pager for State Policymakers
This customizable one-pager is meant as a leave-behind when
meeting with state policymakers about 988. To use, download the
Word document and insert your state’s name into the highlighted
portions.
Download the State Policymaker
One-Pager Here
One-Pager for Federal Policymakers
This one-pager is meant as a leave-behind when meeting with
federal policymakers about 988.
Download the Federal Policymaker
One-Pager Here
3
Key Talking Points
These customizable talking points are not intended to be scripts that must be used verbatim, but rather,
points to emphasize and guidance for talking about 988 with policymakers.
• What is 988 and who should use it?
o Approved by Congress in fall 2020, 988 is the nation’s first three-digit crisis number
dedicated to mental health and designed to help connect people with appropriate care.
o Once 988 goes live by July 2022, if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts,
experiencing delusions, or displaying concerning symptoms of mental illness, you should
call 988 instead of 911.
• Why do we need 988?
o Traditionally, police have responded to mental health emergencies, which require
tremendous local resources and often result in criminalizing mental illness.
In 2017, an average of 10% of law enforcement agencies’ total budgets and 21%
of staff time were spent responding to and transporting persons with mental
illness. (Treatment Advocacy Center)
People with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during
a police encounter than other civilians (Treatment Advocacy Center)
o 988 is not only about answering calls—it’s also about making appropriate and accessible
referrals, creating a system of mobile crisis teams, and offering crisis stabilization
programs that connect people to a continuum of care at critical moments.
o Fully implemented, 988 will reduce avoidable emergency department or hospital
admissions for people in crisis and avoid traumatic, often deadly, engagements with the
criminal justice system.
• What is needed to make 988 work?
o While an easy-to-remember, three-digit number is an important first step, a number
alone is not enough. Each state across the country must have a fully-funded crisis
response system in place to support 988 when it go lives by July 2022.
o Every state needs:
Someone to answer the call. Every state needs 24/7 call centers that are
adequately staffed by specially trained individuals to respond to a range of
mental health crises.
Someone to come help. Every state needs mobile crisis teams that can be
dispatched to the scene and are equipped to effectively assist people in crisis.
Someplace to go for care. Finally, crisis stabilization services must be available to
provide observation and connection to follow-up care.
• What do we need the general public/advocacy organizations to do?
o Contact your Congressional representatives and ask them to support states in building a
crisis response infrastructure that ensures people get the help they need.
o Contact your state representatives and ask them to pass a bill that includes 988 user fees
to support a crisis system that provides a mental health response to mental health crises.
o Ensure 988 implementation and crisis services are key priorities in policy agendas for
both state and federal policymakers.
o Engage people with lived experience to inform policy asks.
• What do we need state policymakers to do?
o Introduce and pass bills that include 988 user fees to support crisis call centers and non-
billable mobile crisis and crisis stabilization costs.
4
• What do we need federal policymakers to do?
o Ensure federal coordination and technical assistance for 988 implementation.
o Provide funding for states to develop and maintain an effective crisis response
infrastructure.
o Ensure all payers, including commercial insurers, cover crisis services.
For more information, visit NationalMentalHealthResponse.org/CrisisResponse.
5
Social Media
Use this shareable graphic and sample social media posts to help promote 988 policy messaging. We
encourage you to use #988MentalHealth in your social media posts.
Shareable Graphic:
Download the Shareable Graphic
Here
Sample Facebook or LinkedIn Posts:
• Ahead of the July 2022 rollout of #988MentalHealth as the nation’s three-digit crisis number for
mental health emergencies, state and federal policymakers must ensure that the infrastructure
and supports are in place to make 988 effective in connecting people in crises with the help they
need and deserve. [ADD ORGANIZATION HANDLE] urges policymakers to make sure there is
someone to answer the call, someone to provide help, and someplace to go for care. The time to
act is now! https://nationalmentalhealthresponse.org/CrisisResponse
• Traditionally, police have responded to mental health emergencies, which require tremendous
local resources and often result in criminalizing mental illness. That’s why #988MentalHealth—
the nation’s impending, first-ever three-digit number for mental health crises—is so important.
We have an opportunity to take concrete steps towards creating a more equitable system that
compassionately responds to the needs of people in crises—especially those disproportionately
harmed by the current system. Learn more via:
https://nationalmentalhealthresponse.org/CrisisResponse
• While an easy-to-remember, three-digit number is an important first step, a number alone is not
enough. Each state must have a fully-funded crisis response system in place in support of
#988MentalHealth when it goes live nationwide by July 2022. Learn more via:
https://nationalmentalhealthresponse.org/CrisisResponse
Sample Twitter Posts:
• [ADD ORGANIZATION HANDLE] urges policymakers to take action now to ensure the
infrastructure and funding are in place to support the rollout of #988MentalHealth, the nation’s
6
impending first-ever three-digit number for mental health crises. Learn more:
https://nationalmentalhealthresponse.org/CrisisResponse
• Policymakers can take action now to ensure #988MentalHealth is more than just a number, but is
able to connect people experiencing a mental health crisis to the support and help they need and
deserve. The time to act is now! Learn more:
https://nationalmentalhealthresponse.org/CrisisResponse
• A mental health crisis deserves a mental health response, not just a police response. That’s why
policymakers must act now to provide the infrastructure + support needed to ensure
#988MentalHealth is successful when it launches in July 2022. Learn more:
https://nationalmentalhealthresponse.org/CrisisResponse
7E-Newsletter and Website
Use this sample writeup to help inform and update your networks about the need for policy action in
advance of 988 implementation, via your organization’s e-newsletter(s), website, and/or other
communications platform(s).
Policymakers Must Act Now to Support Historic Shift in
How America Treats Mental Health Crisis Response
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, America was dealing with historically high rates of suicide and
deaths by overdose, and mental health conditions. Traditionally, police have responded to mental health
emergencies, which requires tremendous local resources and often result in criminalizing mental illness.
For example, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center, in 2017 an average of 10% of law
enforcement agencies’ total budgets and 21% of state time were spent responding to and transporting
persons with mental illness. In addition, a recent The Washington Post article found that in 2015, 1 in 4
fatal shootings by police were of a person with mental illness—and 1 in 3 of those were people of color.
In response, Congress recently approved the nation’s first-ever three-digit number for mental health
crises—988—which will be implemented nationwide by July 2022. But a phone number alone is not
enough. To be effective and save lives, 988 needs a fully-funded infrastructure in place to ensure there is
someone in every state to answer the call, someone to provide the help, and someplace to go for
treatment.
“Our country must prioritize treating mental health emergencies with a mental health response, rather
than a law enforcement response,” said [senior leader’s name, job title, organizational affiliation].
“[Organization’s name] calls on state and federal policymakers to act now to provide the funding and
support needed to establish an effective crisis response infrastructure in advance of 988’s
implementation in July 2022. We also call on the general public to urge policymakers in making these
necessary and life-saving changes”
To learn more, visit https://nationalmentalhealthresponse.org/CrisisResponse.
Note: Include the infographic as a visual element along with the above writeup. Also consider including a
personalized quote featuring a senior leader from your organization (sample quote included above).
The National Response collaborated with The CEO Huddle to develop these materials, which reflect the
alignment of both the National Response's An Action Plan for Strengthening Mental Health and the
Prevention of Suicide in the Aftermath of COVID-19 and The CEO Huddle's A Unified Vision for the Future
of Mental Health, Addiction, and Well-Being in the United States.
8You can also read
