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Wisconsin Opens New Mental Health Crisis Call Center
Among the other fallout from the global COVID-19 crisis – alongside the poor economy and interrupted education – is stress and anxiety leading to an upswing in mental health crises in much of the country.
“Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children,” according to the CDC. “Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety.”
While some groups, notably older Americans, seem to be coping better than younger demographics, it’s fair to say that the COVID crisis has touched almost everyone. As a result, many public mental health agencies are seeing a rise in phone calls to call centers.
Wisconsin recently announced the opening of a new call center funded by a grant from the Department of Health Services (DHS). The new Wisconsin Lifeline call center is managed by Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin and is funded by a $2 million annual grant. It accepts calls originating from communities not covered by one of four existing Wisconsin-based call centers in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. All of the crisis call centers accept calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“No one should ever have to be alone when they feel hopeless,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm in a statement. “Adding capacity to handle Wisconsin calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is part of our ongoing effort to ensure the right supports are available at the right time for people in emotional distress. It’s about offering hope and promoting healing. By connecting, listening, and directing help to those who need it, we can reduce pain and save lives.”
The call centers will connect Wisconsin citizens to counselors who have the expertise and linkages to local resources that callers need.
“Now, more than ever, it is critical that all Wisconsin callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have access to Wisconsin-based counselors, especially as more people seek help due to the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Palm.
Edited by Maurice Nagle