988: September 8 marks nationwide awareness campaign for mental health crisis lifeline

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Georgians are being asked to tell a friend about 988 as part of a nationwide campaign marking September 8.

The campaign aims to spread awareness about the mental health crisis lifeline. The number 988 can be called, texted or used for online chat 24/7. It connects people with a trained counselor for help with mental health or substance abuse.

WTOC sat down with Kevin Tanner, commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Tanner said 350,000 people in Georgia contacted the lifeline for help last year.

Tanner said the most important thing to know about the three-digit number is that it meets people where they are.

“They may need someone to talk to face to face and have that interaction. They may not be there yet. They may be reluctant. So sending a text or doing a chat might be the preferred method for them. Talking to somebody on the telephone may be the preferred method. One size does not fit all. We’re all built and made differently,” Tanner said.

Tanner is encouraging everyone to take two minutes on September 8 to tell a friend about 988.