CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice held a ceremonial bill signing Monday on a measure creating a statewide health crisis services system, which includes establishing crisis hotline centers.
Justice signed Senate Bill 181 on March 23. The law creates the state’s Core Behavioral Health Crisis Services System; Bill Crouch, the secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Resources, is responsible for designating crisis hotline centers for providing intervention services and connecting the new 988 number to the national suicide prevention network. The state will also have to coordinate access to services.
The service is funded through an 11-cent monthly user fee; state officials estimate the charge will result in $1.6 million annually for the Statewide 988 Trust Fund.
First Choice Services currently assists the state with answering calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline as well HELP4WV and the West Virginia Tobacco Quitline.
“Senate Bill 181 marks a really important step for the state of West Virginia,” CEO Lata Menon said during the event at the state Capitol. “Senate Bill 181 affirms our commitment as a state to a mental health crisis that certainly goes beyond our state, but has a very deep impact in our state.”
West Virginia places 10th among states regarding suicide rates; data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes 19 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people.
Menon noted populations in West Virginia with an increased risk of suicide, including veterans, LGBTQ residents, children and young adults, and people residing in rural communities.
“This Senate bill affirms the state’s commitment to helping these people,” she added. “In addition, it’s going to fund our lifeline response at a capacity that we’ll be able to meet a great deal of need that is out there, and a need that is going to be better met through the introduction of this three-digit number, 988.”
People will be able to contact the national suicide prevention network through the 988 number starting in July. The service currently only uses 1-800-273-8255 for callers across the country.