A virtual caregiver support helpline logo displayed on a computer screen. Photo courtesy of INNS.

By Joe Ulrey
Indiana News Service

INDIANAPOLIS — A new report gives Indiana high marks for its rollout of 988, a mental health crisis hotline, but also highlighted all states need to do more to support and reach people in every community.

The research by the nonprofit mental health advocacy organization Inseparable evaluated state progress in implementing the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and showed Indiana continues to lead the nation in crisis response.

Dan Rusyniak, secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, said most Hoosiers who reach out for help are finding it.

“Since we launched 988 last July, we have seen tremendous benefits already,” Rusyniak explained. “Indiana routinely is in the top five states for our in-state answer rate for 988, and we have been over 90%.”

The 988 number launched nationwide in 2022 and sunsetted the Be Well Crisis Helpline, or 211. While 10 states have implemented cellphone surcharges to fund the helpline, Indiana has not, relying instead on a combination of federal and state funds.

Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for Inseparable, said the organization’s report is aimed specifically at state legislators, delineating the necessary policies for establishing a robust 988 mental health crisis response system.

“For every state, it really creates a tool to spark a dialogue about what is needed in the state in order to actually stand up a system and support it over the long term,” Kimball said.

According to the report, efforts in some states have resulted in significantly lower response times, leaving plenty of room for improvement for those locations. If you are in crisis or know someone who is, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.