Georgians are using the new national mental health crisis line 988.  According to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities in the first 45 days, 476 calls resulted in rescues of people whose lives were believed to be in danger.

The national mental health crisis line 988 has been live since mid-July in Georgia. Calling or texting this easy-to-remember number connects people to mental health care immediately.

Georgia Public Broadcasting reported the highest prevalence of calls since July came from rural South Georgia. Almost 41% of callers races are unknown or they declined to give the information. 27% of callers are white and just over 30% are Black.

It’s interesting also to note that in 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Black Americans between the ages of 14 and 25.

You can read more from Georgia Public Broadcasting HERE