The national service of the 988 line to help in mental health crises and suicide prevention (988 Suicide and Crisis Lifetime) has expanded the attention of new options for chat and text messages in Spanish.
On the first anniversary of the launch of the 988, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and its 11 outreach centers throughout the state of California have been saving lives. The same happens in five centers in the country. Help will continue to be offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“One of the best things about 988 is that it is a free service for everyone, and in terms of confidentiality, people don’t need a social security number or even share their name if they don’t want to,” Shari Sinwelski, vice president of 988, told La Opinión. crisis care at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services of Culver City.
Since July 16, 2022, approximately five million people have received help from professionals who answer the 988 telephone lines.
In California, between July 2022 and May 2023, 280,637 contacts have been registered, through calls, chats and text messages.
In 988 there are 1,116 counselors in 12 crisis centers and in 98% of such contacts are reduced through the help seeker connecting with a crisis counselor, which does not require emergency intervention.
For people experiencing a mental health crisis, the 988 online number can be accessed at 988lifeline.org to chat or text 988.
“The addition of Spanish text and chat services makes the 988 number more accessible and gives people new options to connect with a counselor in a way that is more comfortable for them,” said Alejandra Vargas, bilingual programs coordinator. in Spanish for Didid Hirsch Mental Health Services.
“We recognize the growing demand for culturally responsive services within the Hispanic community and we are committed to meeting these demands,” he added.
The expansion of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifetime comes as findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that suicide continues to present a major public health crisis in the United States.
Among Hispanics, suicide rates increased 38% between 2013 and 2020.
“The addition of Spanish-language chat and text messaging services supports 988’s mission to make mental health support available to all who need it and in a way that is culturally competent,” said Shari Sinwelski.
Dismal Statistics in California and Los Angeles
According to statistics from the California Violent Death Reporting System (CalVDRS), among older age groups, suicide rates among men were up to twelve times higher than among women. In addition, there were five suicide deaths among youth under the age of 10 in 2020.
Among the demographics of suicide deaths, a vast majority of those who take their own lives are White (63.9%), followed by Hispanic/Latino (21.4%), Asian/Pacific Islander (9.2%), African American 5% and Native Americans (0.5%)
Official data from the California Department of Public Health shows that between 2018 and 2020, 13,073 suicides were committed in the state.
The largest number of people who decided to escape life through the false door was recorded in Los Angeles County, with 2,651 suicides. They were followed by San Diego County, 1,280; Orange, 1,014; Riverside, 891; San Bernardino, 718; Sacramento, 598; Santa Clara, 503; Mall, 470; Kern, 352 and Contra Costa, 339.
Suicide data for 2020 indicates that of the 6,902 violent deaths of Californians, 62% were deaths by suicide (4,143), that is, there were almost twice as many suicides as homicides.
Looking at the demographics of suicides, more than three-quarters of those who died were men (78%).
Among those over 65, 82% of those who died by suicide were men. Its rate of death by suicide among men was 16.2 per 100,000 population, which is 3.5 times the rate among women: 4.6 suicides per 100,000 population.
Among men, the highest rates of death by suicide affected people aged 85 and over (46.2 per 100,000) with a lower peak among men aged 25-34 (23.6 per 100,000).
In contrast, among women who died by suicide, the rates changed less with age: the rate was highest between the ages of 45 and 54 (6.6 per 100,000 population).
And, among older age groups, suicide rates among men were up to twelve times higher than among women.
In addition, there were five suicide deaths among youth under the age of 10 in 2020.
“It is unfortunate that our mental health system has not made appropriate decisions long before the pandemic,” María del Pilar Avalos, mayor of the city of South Gate, told La Opinión.
His brother, who suffered from mental problems, committed suicide on April 14, 2020.
If we look at the numbers [de suicidios] in the last 20 years, we will see that they have increased, but fortunately we already have the 988 system; sadly it was not available before, for people like my brother”.