KENTUCKY — Kentucky received a $340,000 grant to assist with planning and logistics for the nationwide transition to a simplified behavioral health crisis line, according to a release from Gov. Andy Beshear's office. In July 2022, the 988 hotline will become the national dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), replacing the current phone number 1-800-273-TALK (8255).


What You Need To Know

  • Kentucky received a grant to assist with preparations for the nationwide transition to a simplified behavioral health crisis line

  • In July 2022, the 988 hotline will become the national dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Vibrant Emotional Health awarded the funding to Kentucky

  • The Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities will work with stakeholders to create a 988 implementation plan

“Every Kentuckian has a right to compassionate, high-quality and immediate mental health care, including crisis response,” said Beshear. “The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and their partner, Vibrant, are to be commended for the leadership and guidance provided to us in support of this important transition. A simplified, three-digit national hotline creates access to mental health care similar to that available for physical health through the 911 system and represents the next giant step in reducing stigma for those at risk or in need of behavioral health services and care.”

Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administrator of the NSPL, awarded the funding to Kentucky.

“Access to mental health and crisis support has never been more critical for Americans,” said Kimberly Williams, president and CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health. “Vibrant is committed to providing the states and territories with some of the resources they’ll need to plan for the implementation of 988 and to support their local crisis centers. By working together, we will increase access to care, reduce the stigma around mental health and, ultimately, save lives.”

According to the release, the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID), Kentucky’s 988 planning grant recipient, "will collaborate with state leadership, suicide prevention experts, people with lived experience and other stakeholders to create a 988 implementation plan and support the Lifeline’s operational, clinical and performance standards that allow access to care."

“The opportunity this planning grant provides is vital in ensuring that all residents of the Commonwealth have access to behavioral health resources when they need them,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander. “We are extremely grateful for the extra support and guidance as we work through the transition process.”