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Crisis hotlines urge Senate to restore 988 funding after House cuts
Summary
Two Ohio crisis providers told the Senate Finance Committee that call volume for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is rising rapidly and that House reductions leave the program underfunded; witnesses asked senators to restore executive budget levels: $34 million in FY26 and $41 million in FY27.
Representatives of two Ohio crisis providers told the Senate Finance Committee that the state's 988 suicide and crisis lifeline needs more funding than the House provided and urged the Senate to restore the governor's executive proposal.
Joseph Nijeweski of North Central Mental Health Services told senators his center has seen escalating call volumes since it began 988 service nearly three years ago: 1,122 calls in January 2023, 1,744 in January 2024 and 3,287 calls in April 2025. "North Central anticipates…
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