Recently reports have shown that the national rate of the 988 suicide and prevention calls answered is about 90%.
However, Nevada's rate is only 63%, the worst answer rate in the entire country.
It's been almost two years since Nevada has implemented the 988 hotline. Since then, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health says they have been really focused on building the call line first because of how big of a role it plays in saving people's lives.
"The crisis response system is built into three main sections, somewhere to call, somewhere to respond, and somewhere to go," said Shannon Bennett, bureau chief of Bureau Behavorial Health Wellness and Prevention. "We believe through data, that 90% of the calls that come into the call center can be deescalated right there with the phone call."
As of right now Bennett says they have about 35 staff members answering the phone calls.
If a 988 call is not answered by our local call center, it is immediately redirected to a national backup ran by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration to ensure the caller gets immediate help.
Last month Nevada received 4,169 calls.
2,636 calls were answered in-state.
907 calls were answered out of state.
And 626 calls were dropped before a counselor could answer the call.
Bennett says they're currently waiting for a contract to be approved in order to look into and improve their call center.
"Earlier this year we released a request for a proposal that went out and we are waiting," she said. "We're in negotiations right now, we're waiting to get that contract executed. Hopefully in the next few months we'll execute that and hopefully we'll see those rates go up."
If you or someone you know needs help do not hesitate to reach out and call the suicide hotline by dialing 988.
Bennett says if you're interested in helping answer calls you can reach out to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health to learn more.
