County Executive Ken Jenkins is recognizing the month of September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month in Westchester, and proclaiming September 8 as 988 Awareness Day. Every September, Westchester County comes together as one community help stop the stigma associated with suicide and mental illness, and highlight the many resources and services that are available to residents who may be struggling. This year, Jenkins is highlighting the success of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24/7 support to individuals experiencing crisis, emotional distress, or thoughts of suicide.
Jenkins said: “Having the 988 Call Center here in Westchester has proven to be a significant help to thousands of people. Nearly 18,000 individuals accessed this free and confidential service in 2024, and I thank St. Vincent’s Hospital, a division of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, for running the program in partnership with our Department of Community Mental Health. Today, as we declare 988 Awareness Day, we want to educate our residents about the Lifeline and ensure those in crisis take advantage of it. We are bringing together our business community, education leaders, non-profit partners along with County Departments to find ways to expand our current efforts, and inform our residents of the importance of seeking help when needed.”
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers immediate crisis intervention, emotional support, and information about local resources. In Westchester County, callers are connected to trained professionals who can provide confidential support, local to them. The 988 Lifeline is open to everyone facing a crisis regardless of age, background or circumstance. Whether it is you or a loved one struggling with thoughts of suicide, dealing with addiction, or feeling overwhelmed, 988 is available. The Lifeline also provides support to LGBTQ+ individuals and veterans by connecting them to professionals trained in these areas.
Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health Michael Orth said: “I want to thank our County Executive for providing funding to the 988 Lifeline, which allows calls to be answered by professionals right here in Westchester. With language translation services providing help in more than 150 languages, we have seen the growth year by year of the number of calls 988 is receiving. Using 988 means you reach a mental health professional who can provide compassionate response for any emotional distress one may be experiencing, and it is encouraging to see so many people reaching out for help.”
Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center Bernadette Kingham-Bez said: “The importance of being able to simply dial 988 to get support during a behavioral health crisis, or to help avoid a crisis, cannot be underestimated. We are deeply grateful for the County’s partnership and funding which has made our Westchester 988 call-center available 24/7.”
For more information about the Department of Community Mental Health’s programs and services, call 914-995-5220 or visit our website.
