Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and  Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) introduced the 988 Implementation Act with Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Congressman Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). The transformative, comprehensive legislation will change our crisis response to mental health emergencies. The 988 Implementation Act will provide federal funding and guidance for states to implement their crisis response infrastructure ahead of the July launch of the new national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, 988. 

“Today, millions of Americans are struggling with worsening mental health. No matter their condition, too often, individuals don’t have access to the behavioral health services that would address their needs,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “I am pleased to introduce the 988 Implementation Act which will help ensure that every person in crisis receives the right response in the right place every time and help us realize the promise of 988.”

“There is no question 988 will change the trajectory of how we respond to those experiencing mental health crises, but just a new number alone is not enough,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “When people start calling 988 this July, they must be connected to the proper assistance they need, with the urgency and support they deserve. For this to truly be a life-saving alternative to 911, there must be someone to call, someone to come and somewhere to go. The 988 Implementation Act will provide federal support, guidance and funding to ensure all states are best equipped to respond to a person in crisis and avoid preventable tragedies. 988 is giving us a historic opportunity to change the way mental health crises are treated in America, and together, we can work towards a future where mental health isn’t criminalized. My hope is that people in need, anytime and anywhere, can call 988 and when they do, they’ll find the support they need.” 

"A phone call can save a life, offer hope and prevent suicide,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Ph.D., R.N., Chair, DE Behavioral Health Consortium and Governor’s Veterans’ Suicide Prevention Challenge. “The “988” nationwide call system will offer a much needed life-line and provide critical resources such as 24/7 call centers, mobile crisis response teams, and health care professionals to help navigate care. Too many lives are lost every day to suicide. The system supports partnerships with community organizations, healthcare professionals, first responders and law enforcement agencies to implement solutions to ensure those in crisis get the care they need when they need it. I want to thank Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester for her tireless leadership on this bill and for helping ensure we create an accessible system that works for all.”

When people experience any other health crisis, there is a trusted system in place to respond.  Sadly, this is not the case with mental health crises. In Delaware, too many people in crisis have become part of the default system for mental health care, the criminal justice system,” said Anne Slease, M.Ed, Director of Advocacy & Education, National Alliance on Mental Illness in Delaware (NAMI Delaware). For more than a year in Delaware, leaders across sectors including health care, law enforcement, and community advocacy including NAMI Delaware have been convening to discuss a plan to effectively implement 9-8-8 in the First State.”

“Effectively implementing 988 is vital to building a comprehensive suicide prevention and mental health crisis response system in Delaware and across our country to confront our nation’s growing mental health crisis,” said Kat Olbrich, Maryland and Delaware Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). “The 988 Implementation Act provides critical investments to the launch of the new three-digit hotline and would allow the local crisis call centers to provide invaluable support at critical times and connect individuals to services that can save lives. The AFSP Delaware Chapter is grateful to Representatives Blunt Rochester, Cárdenas, Raskin, Fitzpatrick, Napolitano, Moulton, Beyer, and Matsui for their leadership on this important bill.”

America is experiencing a growing mental health crisis. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., and 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. More than 100,000 Americans have died from overdoses in the last 12 months. 

Right now, Americans are forced to rely on police for assistance during a mental health or substance use crisis. Most police officers are not trained to effectively respond to mental health emergencies, and relying on them to be the first emergency response unit during a mental health emergency increases the chances of violence. In fact, a police encounter with a civilian is 16 times more likely to result in that person’s death if they have an untreated mental illness. 

For 988 to be truly effective, crisis services must operate in a linked fashion. There must be someone to call, someone to come and somewhere to go if needed. The 988Implementation Act provides federal support, guidance and funding for states to enact 988and crisis services. These measures will ensure that it’s not just a number to call but a resource to connect to services on the ground, including trained first responders and crisis centers. 

The 988 Implementation Act:

• Solidifies funding for the 988 national hotline and a national backup system to ensure a timely 24/7 response to callers anywhere in the country.

• Provides funding for community-based crisis response, including local call centers, mobile crisis teams and crisis centers.

• Supports crisis workforce development with increased funding for training and scholarship opportunities.

• Increases access to care by requiring that all health insurance plans cover crisis services.

• Allows all states to have the opportunity to establish certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs), which provide comprehensive mental health and substance use services, including 24/7 crisis services. 

• Implements a national suicide prevention awareness campaign in partnership with a wide array of stakeholders.

• Provides technical assistance for states to implement crisis services and supports research for continuous quality improvement.

The legislation is supported by more than 100 organizations including mental health advocates, clinical and medical professionals, law enforcement, state and local government officials, civil rights advocates, veterans and more.

“We know that 988 can be a gateway to ensure people in mental health crisis receive a mental health response,” said Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “NAMI is deeply grateful to Reps. Cárdenas, Beyer, Blunt Rochester, Fitzpatrick, Moulton, Napolitano and Raskin for their leadership in introducing the 988 Implementation Act. This bill would provide communities with much-needed resources to make this vision a reality by supporting 24/7 local crisis call centers, mobile crisis response, and crisis stabilization facilities – someone to talk to, someone to respond and somewhere to go. It would also create national standards for crisis care – setting the stage for equitable response across the country. We call for the swift passage of this critical legislation.” 

“Implementing 9-8-8 will require sustained investment to expand the capacity of mental health and substance use crisis response systems,” said Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “Dedicated support must be made available every step of the way – from the national lifeline and regional and local call centers to mobile crisis response programs and community-based organizations offering on-the-ground treatment. We applaud this effort to bolster our nation’s crisis response infrastructure and expand proven community-based mental health and substance use services so anyone calling 9-8-8 has someone to talk to, someone to come to them and somewhere to go.” 

For a full list of endorsing organizations and quotes, click here. 

For a fact sheet, section by section and additional information on the 988 Implementation Act, click here. Full bill text can be found here. 

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