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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A statewide health crisis services system, which includes establishing crisis hotline centers has been established.
The law creates the state’s Core Behavioral Health Crisis Services System; Bill Crouch, the secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Resources, is responsible for designating crisis hotline centers for providing intervention services and connecting the new 988 number to the national suicide prevention network. The state will also have to coordinate access to services.
The service is funded through an 11-cent monthly user fee; state officials estimate the charge will result in $1.6 million annually for the Statewide 988 Trust Fund.
First Choice Services currently assists the state with answering calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline as well HELP4WV and the West Virginia Tobacco Quitline.
West Virginia places 10th among states regarding suicide rates; data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes 19 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people.
People will be able to contact the national suicide prevention network through the 988 number starting in July. The service currently only uses 1-800-273-8255 for callers across the country.