The United States has launched a new three-digit dialing code, 988, to support people experiencing a mental health crisis. Modeled after 911, the new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a memorable number that connects people in need to a trained mental health professional.
Healthcare providers across the country, including Intermountain, have worked to expand mental health offerings to support referrals from the new hotline. Intermountain’s efforts were recognized in a recent article by Fierce Healthcare. The article praised Intermountain for partnering with the Utah behavioral health crisis response commission on the 988 rollout. Intermountain has also added behavioral health services to our virtual urgent care, the article noted.
Kimberly Myers, Intermountain’s Behavioral Health Clinical Program manager, told Fierce Healthcare a key part of our strategy includes building trust and relationships with other stakeholders—like 988.
“We know the need is more than what we have in behavioral health right now,” Kimberly said. “We have to interweave our services together to create the safety net we’re all trying to accomplish.”