NCSS Here For You – 988 & Suicide Prevention Awareness

Guests: Tony Stevens, NCSS Emergency Services Program Manager and, Alicia Webb, 988 Program Manager at Northeast Kingdom Human Services

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Suicide is a public health problem and a leading cause of death in the United States.  Suicide can also be prevented through increased education and prevention efforts. 

Since July of 2022 the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) was launched and provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, of which 2 are located in Vermont,  combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a leader in suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. Since its inception, the Lifeline has engaged in a variety of initiatives to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention for all, including innovative public messaging, best practices in mental health, and groundbreaking partnerships.

Today we will address the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline plus, Afterglow, a music festival for suicide awareness and prevention which will be held on September 23^rd at Hard’ack Hill in St. Albans.