Homepage

Rep. John Katko Proposes Increased Funding for Crisis Hotlines Rep. John Katko Proposes Increased Funding for Crisis Hotlines

By Courtney Rau

Reporter: “Suicide rates in the U.S. are increasing at an alarming rate, and call centers all across the country like Contact Community Services in East Syracuse are working hard to help people in need.”

Interview: “We are at about 250 calls a day. Probably on an average day and that can go up to 300.”

Reporter: “But these call centers need help too.”

“That’s why Congressman John Katko is proposing a bill that will increase funding for the Suicide Prevention lifeline from 12 million to 50 million dollars.”

Interview: “Oh it will help us immensely because what we need more than anything are more people to respond.”

Reporter: “With the amount of calls at an already unmanageable level, Katko says that the growing demand will further reduce access to this life saving resource. So, local crisis enters need more resources and more funding to continue helping those in need.”

“Crisis hotlines are running 24 hours a day, so having enough people to take calls is extremely important.”

“Giarrusso says that crisis calls are not easy to take, so more funding will help hotlines keep their staff up and running at all hours.”

Interview: “So, we want to make sure that our folks are well taken care of, are adequately compensated, and are provided with the support that they need so that they can feel well while they’re helping others feel well.”

Reporter: “Crisis centers across the country are seeing a huge increase in calls received per year. Contact received 44,000 phone calls in 2018, which cost them around $150,000. The staff at Contact says that an increase in federal funding would help them help more of those in need. I’m Courtney Rau, NCC News.”

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Suicide rates in the U.S. are increasing at an alarming rate and call centers, like Contact Community Services in East Syracuse, are working hard to help people in need.

“We are at about 250 calls a day, probably on an average day, but that can go up to 300,” said Cheryl Giarrusso, Director of Crisis Intervention Services at Contact Community Services.

With this number only continuing to increase, these call centers need help too.

Congressman John Katko is proposing legislation to increase federal funding to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline from $12 million to $50 million.

“It will help us immensely because what we need more than anything are more people to respond,” Giarrusso said.

Over the next four years, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline expects suicide crisis centers to receive 12 million calls. Contact received 44,000 phone calls in 2018 alone, costing them around $150,000.

“Currently, local suicide crisis centers handle the majority of the calls to the Lifeline, while on a tight budget,” said Rep. Katko. “With call volume and call waits times already at unmanageable levels, the growing demand will only further constrain the network and reduce access to this life-saving resource. Local crisis centers need more resources and more funding.”

According to Giarrusso, an increase in funding would help because these calls are not easy to take, so making sure their staff is well compensated and taken care of will help them help more of those in need.

Related Articles