CLAY COUNTY – The national suicide hotline has rebranded and changed its number to 988 in an effort to simplify the process and cut back on unnecessary law enforcement visits in cases where someone is having a mental health crisis.

In October of 2020, then-President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill into law that would create a three-digit number for mental health emergencies. The United States had a death by suicide every 11 minutes in 2020, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures.

The previous number was (800) 273-8255 and the title of the hotline also changed from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, three federal agencies announced last week. The new number went live on Saturday.

In Northeast Florida, Clay Behavioral Center CEO Irene Toto said the nature of a person’s call determines the treatment they need. This also establishes if law enforcement is needed.

The goal of the change to the 988 number is to streamline the process and get people help faster, Toto said.

“I hope that it would help law enforcement,” Toto said of the change. “A mental health emergency doesn’t always require law enforcement.”

Clay Behavioral has a 24/7 Mental Health Mobile Response Team that can respond within an hour, ranging from whether the caller needs someone to talk to, or is in danger. The response teams have been active within the past few years, Toto said.

“We’ll be ready to provide follow-up services after the initial call,” Toto said. “The (response teams) have spent the last five years developing.”

The federal government said last week the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline received about $430 million in funding for its 160 service centers. The service received more than 3.5 million calls, chats and texts in 2021. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the call volume is expected to double, at the minimum, within the first calendar year after the 988 number transitions.

Glenn East runs the Clay County Community Paramedicine Program. He said the hotline is a fantastic resource. He said the Lifeline counselors are well-trained.

“Clearly, there is a mental health crisis in America, and this new hotline number will make it easier for families and individuals to get the help they need when they are in crisis,” East said.

However, Toto adds the region didn’t see much funding to improve the area’s mental health infrastructure. She said a regional mental health providers work group is anticipating challenges and developing strategies.

Increased access, support and crisis stabilization services are important to improve mental health resources in the county, Toto said. She referenced the six-bed Adult Crisis Alternative Program on Knight Boxx Road as a way to get help for those in need.

“We’re asking what we can do to beef up that response,” Toto said. “It’s important to take that next step. A number of things can be handled by talking over the phone, but sometimes you need some face-to-face sit-down meetings to look at alternatives and their needs.

Clay Behavioral’s 24/7 Mental Health Mobile Response Team can be contacted at (904) 291-4357.