New suicide hotline set up in Fort Smith

Fort Smith dispatchers are now answering calls on a new line for people who are in a suicidal situation or a mental health crisis as part of a national program establishing 988 telephone help.

The three-digit, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, has been rolled out nationally through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"The Fort Smith Police Department has been preparing for this day and wants citizens to be aware this is available in Fort Smith to anyone that may require this type of assistance," police report.

Police in Fort Smith are prepared to respond to calls with a crisis intervention team.

The 988 program collaborates with 911 emergency dispatchers to determine whether the crisis intervention team should respond to a situation.

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"This program, (988) is yet another facet in our commitment to addressing the mental health needs of Fort Smith," police report.

The 988 number will connect a person in crisis to a counselor trained in addressing their needs and getting them the appropriate care, police report. This program can collaborate with 911 dispatchers in our area to have teams such as the FSPD Crisis Intervention Unit respond to assist, or any other local resource that may be necessary to aid a person that is suicidal or in another state of crisis.

This year in Fort Smith, a second suicide was reported by a mother who has now lost two daughters.

In July, firefighters rescued a man who jumped into the Arkansas River off the Garrison Avenue bridge. The man survived the jump and was pulled from the water.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: 988 call service in Fort Smith to help with mental crisis situations