The New 988 Mental Health Hotline Is Off To A Busy Start In Hawaii 0 Hawaii CARES, which receives local calls from the 988 lifeline, now faces the challenge of efficiently connecting callers with in-person crisis mobile outreach.
A new three-digit crisis line is aimed at giving people in Hawaii more accessible support for mental health and substance abuse. Now local providers must cope with a rise in callers across the state while facing staffing shortages.
The 988 hotline, which began operating 24/7 in mid-July, is designed to be easy to remember so callers can quickly get help for any mental health emergencies or suicidal thoughts.
If callers have an 808 area code, they are routed to the state Department of Health’s Coordinated Access Resource Entry System, a state-run call center that is part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
