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Highland

May 30, 2023

Paula Campbell
Posted 5/30/23

There is a new three-digit number you need to remember. It is 988 and like 911 it is the new suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline and just like 911-the 988 number works everywhere in …

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Highland

May 30, 2023

Posted

There is a new three-digit number you need to remember. It is 988 and like 911 it is the new suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline and just like 911-the 988 number works everywhere in the country. For many years people in the US who are experiencing a mental health crisis have typically called 911 for help. Unfortunately, most local law enforcement agencies are not equipped or set up to deal with these emergencies so callers often did not get the help they desperately needed. According to the Center For Disease Control, in 2020, our country experienced one death by suicide every eleven minutes. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10-14 years old and also between people between 25-34 years old. Last July the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration launched the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services which replaced the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline-which will continue to operate indefinitely. A call to the new 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline can trigger an immediate dispatch of a mobile crisis team- twenty-four hours a day seven days a week- where it is available to anyone experiencing suicidal tendencies if needed. The network is made up of about two hundred local crisis centers, and callers will be connected to a professional counselor at a center closest to them geographically for assistance. The counselor will listen and provide support and connect the caller to mental health resources if necessary. Anyone who is experiencing any form of mental health distress crisis should use this service. The 988 hotline can also receive text messages for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and an online chat feature is also available. Please put the number in your phone to have it available if a mental health suicide crisis occurs. For additional information go to the Federal Communications Commission site-fcc.gov/988-suicideandcrisislifeline.

My regular readers are aware of my previous articles about the charitable work of the Knights of Columbus that has been in operation in our country since it was founded in 1882. Only recently have I been made aware that there is a similar organization called The Columbiettes which is the women’s branch of the Knights of Columbus that was founded in 1939. They are also a charitable organization and the closest Columbiette Council is in Shohola. They are now working on a project with the Tri State Family Center in Milford to collectssupplies for new mothers, babies and families. They have distributed a wish list which includes highchairs, strollers, pack N play-either new or gently used. Of course, all sizes of diapers, toiletries, wipes and baby clothes from six months to two years old. Walmart gift cards in any amount will be a big help to these families. The project is being run out of St. John Neuman Church but, if you would like to donate or have any baby clothes, furniture or supplies you can donate please call Nancy Fanelli at 347-446-9631 for assistance.

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