04/30/2026
Such a needed resource π
988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
Twenty years ago, I lost my sister to su***de.
This time of year always hits me hard. She took her life on April 26, but it took days to piece things together, searching for her until our worst fears became a reality on May 1. The stretch between those two dates always feels impossibly long... much like how impossibly long it can feel to get help when someone is in crisis.
Which is why, in the middle of this long stretch of days, seeing this paper come out felt like a rainbow in the middle of a storm β a glimpse of hope.
A new JAMA study (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2848066) found that since the 2022 launch of the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline, su***de mortality among people ages 15β34 has declined by 11% nationally β about 4,400 fewer deaths than projected. The states with the highest 988 uptake saw an 18% drop. Contacts to 988 have surged β over 16 million in the first 30 months.
More per capita are reaching out for help than in any other state. And the study found that states where more people reached out saw the biggest drops in su***de rates. Let's hope this translates to fewer Alaskans dying.
Dr. Jay Butler is fond of saying: statistics are people with the tears wiped away. This is hope for a few less tears β and a reminder of how much further we have to go.
I'm sharing this because depression festers in the darkness. Talking about my sister, talking about 988, talking about the fact that help exists β that's how we let some light in.
If you're struggling, please call or text 988. Someone is there.
Love and miss you, sis. π
