Ohio's 988 hotline lacks permanent funding
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Almost two years after the debut of a revamped national suicide hotline, the program remains a work in progress.
Why it matters: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline helps thousands of Ohioans every month, but still lacks a permanent funding plan.
How it works: Those in need can call or text 988 or use an online chat feature for 24/7, personalized help.
- Ohio has reached its goal of answering 90% of in-state calls, with the rest being routed to national counseling centers.
State of play: Ohio's hotline launched in July 2022 thanks to $20 million in federal money that covered its first year of operation.
- Last year's state budget allocated $46.5 million to fund two more years.
The big picture: Though all states use surcharges on cell phone bills to fund 911 services, just 10 states so far have done the same for 988, according to a new report from mental health advocacy group Inseparable, shared first with Axios.
Zoom in: Ohio is not yet one of them, but a bipartisan group of lawmakers is working to change that.
- State Reps. Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus) and Gail K. Pavliga (R-Portage County) have proposed a 10-cent monthly surcharge on phone bills toward 988 services.
Reality check: Their bill has made little progress so far this term, which ends in December.