Workforce and Staffing at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Centers

What are the current staffing levels of 988 Lifeline centers, and what staffing challenges do these centers face?In this cross-sectional survey study using data from a national survey of 988 Lifeline centers, leaders from 77% of call centers across 47 US states and territories responded. A total of 71% of leaders reported that their center was understaffed; when asked about staffing-related difficulties, almost 90% of respondents reported difficulty with acquiring resources to hire.This study suggests that 988 Lifeline center staffing shortages could be associated with operational demands, underscoring the importance of increased investments to bolster the 988 Lifeline workforce.

Corresponding Author: Samantha Matthews, MPhil, MPA, RAND, 1776 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (smatthew@rand.org).

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