Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health and St. Vincent’s Hospital 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline
The Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), together with St. Joseph’s Medical Center, released a Public Service Announcement about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline. The 988 Call Center, which is operated out of St. Vincent’s Hospital, provides a 24/7 hotline service for those in crisis. The Lifeline is free, local and confidential, and residents are able to call, text or chat about family issues, anxiety, stress, bullying, substance use or thoughts of self-harm. The PSA replicates a call to 988, portraying a realistic conversation between a caller and a mental health professional.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “The 988 Call Center received nearly 18,000 calls in 2024. Our mission now is to make sure that everyone in the County is aware of the 988 Lifeline, and knows that this crucial service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I want to thank ‘A Journey Home Film’ for their work to create this PSA, that shows how a call to 988 is handled. It is my hope that this powerful 30 second advertisement will save lives.”
Commissioner of DCMH Michael Orth said: “I want to thank County Executive Jenkins for his continued support to our efforts to end the stigma of mental health challenges. Whether it is the Healing Garden or declaring September 8 as 988 Day in the County, or supporting the 988 Call Center, the commitment to Westchester residents continues. This PSA is part of that ongoing effort that continues as we meet with business leaders, education leaders and healthcare leaders to help spread the word that 988 is a resource for those in need,” said Michael Orth, Commissioner DCMH.”
Deputy Commissioner of DCMH Joseph Glazer Esq. said: “Many people are affected either directly or indirectly by suicide. It is my hope that this attention-grabbing public service announcement will assist people in finding their way to the help they need. I am so grateful to “A Journal Home Film” for their work in putting this ad together. We can come together and show people a path to hope and to help.”