Utah found itself more prepared for the new number 988-crisis line – and the potential increased number of calls – than other areas of the nation, thanks in part to an earlier push from Utah legislators and then Utah Congressional leaders. The Utah Crisis Commission with diverse membership (including Intermountain Healthcare) has been meeting and planning for several years, and Utah statutorily created a statewide crisis line and took responsibility to fund and staff it.
Intermountain Healthcare itself has continued to build capacity and resources in response to the growing behavioral health crisis in our communities, including its own Behavioral Health Connect Care – the telehealth option for anyone in the state to use.
The Behavioral Health Navigation Line (which originally started as a support line during the COVID-19 pandemic) gives Utahns a free resource to talk to someone about anything from low-risk stressors to more crisis and mental well-being conditions. Behavioral health counselors who answer the line can refer to resources if there are needs for long-term help.
Expansion of resources has also continued for behavioral health specific emergency services (Access Centers) in Intermountain LDS, McKay-Dee, and St. George hospitals.
“We want people to know that there is help if you or a loved one is struggling. If you are in crisis, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, available 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Doug Thomas, community health director at Intermountain Healthcare. “We are also here to support and help for you, your family, and friends with your mental health. We would encourage anyone in need to talk to their healthcare provider about mental well-being concerns.”
“In Utah, you can also utilize the myStrength app,” said Thomas. He said individuals can use the free access code INTERMOUNTAINCOMMUNITY. “The app can help you manage sleep, stress, pain, anxiety, depression,” he said.
Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital has a great resource for tweens and how to handle emotions by visiting TalktoTweens.org. Teenagers can also use the SafeUT app for resources, chat with someone or as a crisis line by downloading it on their smart phones.
The free Intermountain Behavioral Health Navigation Line is also available seven days a week from 7 am to 7 pm for those seeking resources.
The numbers in the state of Utah are trending in the right direction,” said Thomas. “We still have a lot of work to do. Any life lost is too many.”
About Intermountain Healthcare
Headquartered in Utah with locations in eight states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,900 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called SelectHealth with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information and updates, click here
