New Data shows that the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has handled a nearly 27% increase in call volume compared to the six months before its launch.
Based on national projections, Kansas is estimated to reach 120,000 Kansans in the hotline’s first full year of operation. The 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis line first launched in July, 2022.
In June 2022, Governor Kelly signed Senate Bill 19, bipartisan legislation that created the state’s three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL).
Now, calls, texts, or chats to 9-8-8 involving thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or other kinds of emotional distress are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers can also receive the immediate support of mobile crisis teams in cases of extreme risk, referral to local mental health services, and resources for follow-up care.
According to data from Vibrant (the current administrator of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), 9-8-8 centers in Kansas have maintained an in-state call-answer rate of 85% to 91% month-over-month amid increased call volume. Other states have struggled with call volume, causing higher rates of sending calls to an out-of-state center. Just a few years ago, Kansas answered about 60% of NSPL calls in-state, with many calls rolling over to national backup centers.
Kansas has also fared better than its regional peers on its “abandon” rate, or the number of received calls that disconnect before engagement with an in-state counselor. That rate has consistently remained below 10%.
In Kansas, 9-8-8 contact centers are independently operated. They receive additional state funding and oversight from Kansas Dept. for Aging and Disability Services along with the 9-8-8 Coordinating Council appointed by the Governor last fall.
Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ (KSPHQ) reports that 9-8-8 funding has allowed them to hire positions for both chat/text and calls, increasing the capacity to receive calls from Kansans and plan for expanded chat access.
KDADS commissioned a Kansas-based marketing firm, Mammoth Creative Company, to support the launch of a social media campaign to build awareness. According to the most recent data, the campaign has reached 1.6 million Kansans. In addition, Mammoth and KDADS are conducting research to better understand the messaging most likely to generate engagement with Kansans in crisis and among several different demographic and at-risk groups.
