For Immediate Release:
July 15, 2022
Contact:
Cassie Nichols
cassie.nichols@ks.gov
Governor Laura Kelly Celebrates the Launch of the 9-8-8 Mental Health Lifeline in Kansas:
Here's What They're Saying
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly ceremonially signed Senate Bill 19, bipartisan legislation that launches 9-8-8 as the official 24/7 three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Beginning Saturday, July 16, Kansans and all Americans can call 9-8-8 during mental health and substance abuse emergencies.
Here's what they're saying:
“We know we need to make it easier for Kansans to get the kind of help they need, whether they need mental health care resources, or the community needed to live with and overcome harmful substance use disorders. Just like with 9-1-1, Kansans who need someone to talk to about a mental health challenge or a substance use disorder will be able to get connected to important public resources through 9-8-8.”
– Sen. Carolyn McGinn, Chair of Senate Ways & Means Human Services Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the 2021 Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform
“9-8-8 will be a blessing for so many, it could mean the difference between life and death. 9-8-8 will provide hope and save lives.”
– Rep. Barbara Ballard, Ranking Minority Member of the House Social Services Budget Committee and Member of the 2021 Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform
“This new 9-8-8 number is an important resource to the people of Kansas whether you or a loved one use it or not. I am pleased to have worked across the aisle to ensure that we sent a bipartisan bill to the Governor’s desk that avoided any increase in cell phone fees or taxes. Health care—including mental health care and substance use treatment—is a public good that all Kansans should have access to regardless of ability to pay.”
– Rep. Annie Kuether, Ranking Minority on the House Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications
“KSPHQ is proud of our 50-year history providing suicide prevention and crisis services to the people of Kansas. The 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotline is a necessary innovation which will immediately connect Kansans from many backgrounds with evidence-based and lifesaving services”
– Monica Kurz, Vice President for External Programming, Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters
“Kansas is joining states and territories across the nation in transition to the easy-to-remember, 3-digit number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This is a top priority for me and our entire leadership here at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).”
-Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA
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