COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has responded to nearly 340,000 calls, texts and chats in the state since its launch two years ago, Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday morning.
That’s over 14,000 contacts a month. It comes at a time when American adults and youth have emerged from the pandemic with worse mental health than before, as evidenced by drug overdoses, homelessness, incarceration and the rate at which people are seeking professional treatment for mental health issues. The source of the problem is complex, and has to do with economic instability, drug addiction, social isolation and physical health declines that can worsen mental health.
