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Advocates tell lawmakers 988 is saving lives but needs stable funding and full continuum to work
Summary
Advocates, peers and providers told the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee that New Jersey’s 988 lifeline has expanded access and resolved many crises by phone, but the crisis continuum needs sustainable funding for call centers, mobile crisis outreach response teams (MCORTs) and crisis stabilization centers to function as intended.
Advocates and providers told the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee that the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline has improved access but requires stable funding and an operational continuum of care to meet rising demand.
Christy Schweigart, advocacy co‑chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s New Jersey chapter and a volunteer 988 crisis counselor, described calling the predecessor lifeline during a suicidal crisis about a decade ago and credited the service with connecting her to resources that "saved my life." She and other witnesses urged dedicated, recurring funding to support 24/7 call centers, mobile crisis outreach response teams and crisis receiving and stabilization centers so callers do not default to police or emergency…
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