September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. It’s been more than a year since 988 became the official number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
It had a dramatic impact in a short time.
988 Lifeline responded to approximately 5 million contacts in its first year. It is a combination of chat, text and mainly phone calls.
In the Bay Area, those calls sometimes reach volunteer Harry Manaxa Crisis Support Services of Alameda County.
“It is my experience that suicidal people already know that they want to take this action,” Manxa said. “They’re having a particularly stressful time at work or with family, and they just need someone to talk to about it — someone who won’t judge them.”
Manxa has volunteered for the past four years. He says call volume has increased significantly since the switch to 988 last year.
Narges Zohori Dillon has the numbers to back up that statement. Oversees service to Dillon County. She says call volume has increased by 40%.
“I think there’s this perception of lights and sirens that come with people asking for help,” Dillon said, “and I want people to know that’s often not the case.” And our counselors are trained to really be there and be patient. care taker.”
Manaxa added, “It’s not our job to diagnose them and course-correct for them. That’s a professional’s job.” [Our job is] To reduce the stress of the emotion of that moment, because it’s hard for them to make decisions when they’re under so much stress.”
Many people like Manaxa are not professionals. They are volunteers with rigorous training. Many people take calls from home. And many people like Manxa know that it works, because before they handled the calls, they called them.
“I have personally struggled with suicidal thoughts,” Manaxa said. “And because I went through that very rough, intense experience of dealing with my mental health, I came out on the other side thinking that it doesn’t have to end there. It really doesn’t have to end there.”
We agreed not to share the specifics of Manaxa’s story. But he shared his time with us for the same reasons he shares it with those who call: It’s about saving lives. Through an interview or three points, changing stigma can save lives.