Episode Details

Washington State Prisons Now Access 988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline: A Step Towards Behavioral Health Equity

This podcast episode discusses the significant development in Washington state prisons, where inmates can now reach the 988 mental health crisis hotline. Previously, they were unable to dial three-digit numbers like 911. The 988 line, established in 2022, connects individuals with trained counselors 24/7, and is funded by both state and federal money. It also offers specialists for veteran support and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Department of Corrections is promoting this move as part of their push for behavioral health equity within the prison system, aiming to prevent suicides and ensure mental health care is a right, not a luxury. While calls are confidential, counselors are trained to work with prison staff if someone is in immediate danger. This expansion comes as new research shows the 988 line is positively impacting suicide deaths nationally, with Washington being one of the first states to implement it.

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