National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month sees a literal lifeline in 988

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Mental health care advocates say the newly rolled-out 988 emergency call line could be a literal lifeline for people of color experiencing a mental health crisis.

Credit: Pexels

Just in time for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month comes a new national crisis help line: 988.

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the U.S. Access to treatment is one challenge.

Also, a study from The Treatment Advocacy Center found that up to 50% of people killed by police were in the middle of a mental health crisis.  Black people are three times more likely to be killed by police than white people.

Many health advocates say 911 was never meant to handle mental health crises, so callers wind up dealing with law enforcement, which can be detrimental. 

But now there is 988.

Judy Fitzgerald is the state commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, which is responsible for the rollout of 988 in Georgia. Fitzgerald said that there is unprecedented demand for mental health care in Georgia and this national crisis line will help address the need.

Fitzgerald spoke with GPB's Leah Fleming.