MPR News with Angela Davis

The rollout of the 988 mental health crisis hotline in Minnesota

A person holds a cellphone
A man uses a cell phone in New Orleans. People in crisis and those trying to help them now have a new three-digit number, 988, to reach the national suicide prevention network.
AP Photo | Jenny Kane 2019

On July 16, the federal government transitioned the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to a three-digit number. 988 is a resource that anyone can call, text or chat for mental health support. Crisis counselors are trained to address mental health emergencies like depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and substance use disorders.

Last week, MPR News brought you an in-depth look at the launch of 988 from MPR’s mental initiative Call to Mind.

MPR News host Angela Davis is continuing that conversation by checking in on the rollout of 988 in Minnesota and hearing from some people who are working within mental health services to find out more about how the new hotline is helping.

Guests:

  • Sue Abderholden is the executive director of NAMI Minnesota.

  • Leah Kaiser is the director of behavioral health programs at Hennepin County. 

  • Tony Martin is the director of emergency communications at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office