TAMPA, Fla. — September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Tuesday, Sept. 8 is 988 Day, an effort to raise awareness about the suicide and crisis lifeline and the resources available to people in crisis.
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay answers local calls to 988, connecting people experiencing a crisis with trained counselors and resources.
But what actually happens when someone calls?
Inside the Crisis Center’s call center, the environment is calm and controlled, an atmosphere designed to help counselors guide people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Every call the workers receive is different. Some people may simply need someone to listen, while others may be experiencing an immediate crisis.
Lead Care Coordinator Ariana Diaz said counselors begin by talking with callers about how they are feeling and assessing their immediate safety.
“We’ll ask the caller how they’re feeling,” Diaz said. “Confirm if they’re having those thoughts of suicide, and what we’ll do from there is we will assess their safety.”
Once counselors determine what a caller needs, they can help develop a safety plan and identify warning signs, coping strategies, and sources of support.
The Crisis Center can also connect callers with longer-term mental health resources, including therapy, psychiatry, and support groups.
For people who need additional assistance after their initial call, the Crisis Center offers suicide prevention care coordination. Callers can request follow-up contact, including weekly calls, to help them connect with resources and continue receiving support.
Diaz said the goal is to make sure people know they don’t have to wait until they’re at their breaking point to ask for help.
The Crisis Center has also worked to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care and encourage people to seek support earlier.
People who are struggling can call or text 988 at any time. The service is also available to people who are concerned about someone else.