WVIK Top Stories

Call 988 for Help with Mental Health, Suicide, Substance Abuse

WVIK, Quad Cities NPR | By Michelle O'Neill

Published July 18, 2022 at 5:00 AM CDT

People who are struggling with depression, suicide, or substance abuse -- and those who love them -- can now call 988 to get help.

The new, national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline officially launched over the weekend.

Cara Levinson is from the Illinois chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She says anyone who needs help can use 988 to talk, text, or chat. Those options give people the option not have have their conversations overheard by family and friends.

About 15 years ago, Levinson's daughter died by suicide when mental health resources were few and far between. Now Levinson says a call to a help line is just the first step, and many resources are available after that first step.

Screenshot from a document provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

All communications with 988 counselors are anonymous and available 24/7. The service is run by a single organization to provide trained counselors and consistent care. The website is 988lifeline.org.

Levinson also says it'll take a long time for the country to make a complete switch to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. So the toll-free, established, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will continue to operate. That number is 1.800.273.TALK (8255).

Mental health resources (and other information) for the Quad Cities area are available by calling 211. Or see the list below:

Crisis Hotlines

Robert Young Center For Community Mental Health - (309) 779-2031
Genesis Health System, Community Crisis Line - (563) 421-2975

Counseling

Bethany for Children & Families - (309) 736-6602
Catholic Charities - (309) 788-9581
Compassion Counseling, Inc. - (563) 355-0780
Family Resources, Inc. - (563) 326-6431
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) - (563) 322-7419
Marriage & Family Counseling Service - (309) 786-4491
Robert Young Center For Community Mental Health - (309) 779-2031
Transitions Mental Health Services - (309) 793-4993
Vera French Community Mental Health Center - (563) 383-1900
Youth Service Bureau of Rock Island County - (309) 793-3460

Addiction

Al-Anon Family Groups (AFG) - (563) 323-1521
Al-Anon/ Alateen - (309) 797-5126
ADDS Gambling Treatment - (563) 322-1036
Alcoholics Anonymous - (309) 764-1016
Center For Alcohol & Drug Services (C.A.D.S.) - (563) 322-2667
Narcotics Anonymous - (800) 897-6242
Riverside - (309) 779-3000
Rock Island County Council on Addictions (RICCA) - (309) 792-0292
The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center - (563) 323-2748

(From United Way of the Quad Cities, Community Resources at a Glance)