The hope with 988 is that those who are in a mental health crisis will be able to be receive fast and safe help. “We believe strongly that people who are in a mental health crisis deserve a mental health response, not a criminal justice response,” says Jennifer Snow, NAMI national director of government relations, policy, and advocacy. A survey conducted by NAMI found that 46% of people would not feel safe calling 911 for help if their loved one were experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis. The reason is likely in part due to police interactions have been dangerous and at times deadly. In fact, per NAMI, one in four fatal police shootings between 2015 – 2020 involved a person with mental illness. “Is it going to be perfect nationwide, come July? Absolutely not,” Snow says. “But I’d like to say that it’s getting better every day and more communities are expanding the ability to have that mobile crisis so that people can get the response they deserve.” No. “It will never cost anybody to call the lifeline,” Snow says.
