Counselors from Memorial Behavioral Health are manning the new 988 mental health and suicide prevention lifeline that went into operation last weekend.
The new three-digit nationwide service is designed to be easier to remember for people needing assistance in a mental health crisis. Calls from Sangamon and surrounding counties and other parts of the 217 area code will be routed to staff from Memorial Behavioral Health.
An official there expects the local 988 hotline could field up to 20 calls a day from people who may be suicidal, are experiencing depression or anxiety, or have family members in crisis.
