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Crisis‑line providers urge restoring governor’s 988 funding as call volumes surge
Summary
Two Ohio crisis‑line providers told the Senate Finance Committee that call volume for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline has risen sharply and urged the Senate to restore executive‑level appropriations cut in House amendments.
Officials from two regional behavioral‑health agencies told the Senate Finance Committee that funding for Ohio’s 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is below what the state needs as use of the service grows.
Joseph Nijeweski of North Central Mental Health Services and Dr. Bridal Stroh of NETcare told senators that their 988 teams are answering rising volumes and that the House reduced the governor’s executive proposal to levels they said are below current operating costs. "In April 2025, the number of calls answered was 3,287," Nijeweski said, and North Central projected more than 40,000 calls for 2025. "We strongly urge the Senate to increase the appropriation of funds for 988 by restoring the governor's executive proposal: $34 million in fiscal 2026 and $41 million in fiscal 2027."
Dr. Stroh described 988 as a treatment‑first response that averts law‑enforcement dispatches in most cases and cited NETcare data showing roughly 95% of contacts did not require anyone to be sent to the caller's location. "These contacts are not only the triage one might receive in an ER waiting room, but they're actually on‑demand treatment as well," Stroh said, adding that the service is cost‑effective and saves lives.
Both witnesses said rising use has required hiring and training more staff; Nijeweski told the panel staff must be available 24/7 and said the House’s funding cut would leave operations below current cost levels. Providers noted actuarial projections from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services that call volume could increase about 29% in the 2026‑27 biennium, and they urged the Senate to restore the executive budget amounts.
Committee members did not vote on funding but asked for additional materials. The providers left senators with two central requests: restore the governor’s recommended 988 appropriation to maintain existing capacity and avoid service deterioration; and ensure contract and program funding aligns with call volume growth so regional centers can maintain 24/7 coverage and mobile crisis follow‑up when needed.
No formal action was taken at the hearing; senators asked for follow‑up data from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and from regional providers to quantify operational deficits under current Senate draft funding.
