Republic FC, Western Health Advantage, and WellSpace Health are once again utilizing one of the club’s most visible platforms – its jersey – to drive awareness for mental health concerns and resources. Building on last year’s groundbreaking partnership, Republic FC’s first team, academy, and all retail jerseys will continue to feature a 988 patch to promote the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Last year alone, over 3,000 jerseys were distributed in Sacramento and beyond to help drive awareness of the lifesaving hotline. Off the field, the club’s awareness campaign stretched across match broadcasts, the club’s social media channels, and into the community with non-profit partners. The club teamed up with California First Partner Jennifer Siebel-Newsom to release a 90-second PSA highlighting the simplicity behind the lifeline. Over 600,000 viewers tuned in to Republic FC matches where 988 was on display, as well as the hundreds of thousands of users that engage with the club’s social media channels. In every community in the country, 988 is an available resource – often answered within 45 seconds – through a network of over 200 call centers located in all 50 states.
Who’s it for?
988 is available for anyone who is having thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any kind of emotional distress. Counselors are also trained to assist family and friends who are seeking support for a loved one experiencing any of these concerns. The service is available in English and Spanish, with crisis centers utilizing tele-interpreters to support over 240 languages.
How it works
Since 2005, Lifeline has established a network of over 200 crisis centers throughout the country, providing trained counselors to support people in need 24/7 on the phone, as well as via online chat (available at 988Lifeline.org/chat) and text message. Here in Sacramento, Wellspace Health operates the region’s lifeline and extends the life-saving program beyond the phone lines to community groups, colleges, high schools and others through presentations and informational outreach.
When a person calls 988, they will be quickly routed to a menu that includes options to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line or receive assistance in Spanish, before being connected to a local crisis center. Once the call is routed, a trained counselor will answer the phone – to listen, provide support, and share resources if needed. If the counselor feels that the person is in danger, they may discuss connecting them with local emergency services, but crisis centers will always try to help with plans that are minimally invasive to keep callers safe.
Those texting or utilizing the online chat will quickly be connected to a counselor.
What happens when I CALL 988?
What happens when I TEXT 988?
What happens when I CHAT 988?
The impact
According to the CDC, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people, and, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the tenth-leading cause of death in the nation. Every year in the U.S., more people die by suicide than in car accidents, and more suicide deaths occur than homicide and AIDS deaths combined.
The Lifeline has received over 20 million calls from people in distress looking for support when they need it most.
