Pathways Raising Awareness for Suicide Prevention Hotline

Pathways Raising Awareness for

Suicide Prevention Hotline

Rebecca Hemlock

The Ashland Beacon

In a landmark shift for mental health support in the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has transitioned to a memorable three-digit number: 988. Effective since July 2022, this change was designed to simplify access to crisis counseling and connect more individuals to immediate help at their moment of need. The new system retains the Lifeline’s fundamental mission—providing free, confidential support—but expands its reach and ease of use, with specific emphasis on reducing barriers that often prevent people from seeking help.

Kentucky, like many states, has seen the impact of this transition in the way crisis services are mobilized and delivered.Pathways Inc., the agency responsible for operating the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in ten Kentucky counties, plays a pivotal role in this expanded network. The counties served include Bath, Boyd, Carter, Lawrence, Greenup, Elliott, Rowan, Morgan, Montgomery, and Menifee.

In these communities, 988 connects callers to trained crisis counselors who can provide compassionate listening, practical support, and guidance to local resources. The service is available 24/7, free of charge, and strictly confidential, ensuring that help is accessible whenever it’s needed, regardless of the caller’s location or circumstances. The statistics surrounding suicide and crisis in Kentucky underscore the urgency of robust, accessible support systems.

For youth, the problem is particularly acute: suicide remains the second leading cause of death among young people. National data show that 15 percent of high school students have seriously contemplated suicide, while 17.4 percent of middle school students report such thoughts. Among adults, the numbers are sobering as well, with 823 deaths by suicide in 2022 and an overall rate of 18 per 100,000 people.

The most affected age group is 35–39, highlighting the need for targeted outreach and prevention efforts across age brackets. One of the most significant advantages of the 988 transition is its potential to offer a critical alternative to dialing 911 in non-emergency situations. The Lifeline, now accessible via 988, is designed for people who may be experiencing emotional distress but are not facing a medical or life-threatening crisis.

Importantly, callers do not need to be suicidal to reach out. The ability to text or chat in addition to phone calls broadens accessibility for those who might not respond well to a phone conversation or who prefer digital communication. The 988 framework is intended to reduce stigma associated with mental health crises by making help both visible and approachable. By simplifying the process to seek assistance, the hope is that more people will reach out before crises escalate.

The Lifeline also serves an essential function for caregivers, first responders, and health professionals by better linking individuals to the appropriate supports and services in their local areas. Public awareness remains a critical component of maximizing the impact of 988. Authorities urge everyone to save the number 988 in their contacts and to share it widely with family, friends, and colleagues. This simple step can be a lifeline—quite literally—for someone in distress.

In addition to phone calls, 988 offers support through chat and text, ensuring multiple avenues for reaching help when it’s needed most. As Kentucky continues to integrate 988 with its existing crisis resources, the overarching goal is clear: provide timely, effective assistance to those in crisis, reduce suicide risk, and strengthen the state’s mental health crisis response network.

With ongoing collaboration among Pathways Inc., local communities, and national partners, 988 stands as a valuable tool that is available whenever anyone feels overwhelmed and in need of a compassionate, experienced ear.