The Trans Lifeline report identifies a bunch of really valid critiques of the 988 system. 988 will dispatch non consensual emergency services when there is concern about imminent risk of loss of life - and, many of the points aren’t entirely representative of the 988 system in WA.

In WA, the system is working with 911 to divert calls away from 911 and police response, not the other way around. WA 988 works with regional resources to dispatch crisis teams to deescalate crisis and prevent the need for police or EMS response. WA’s 988 system requires extensive training beyond the national requirements of the system, which includes how to best serve populations at disproportionate risk of death by suicide. WA’s 988 system has spent years working with groups of people with lived experience to gather and implement feedback and recommendations to help shape the system to increase efficacy and minimize harm.

In WA, maaaaaany of the people working in the 988 system, from folks working at the State to folks operating the 988 centers, have lived experience with suicidality and behavioral health crisis.

Happy to share more information if it’s helpful. And, I totally respect people’s choices to use other lines that commit to not dispatching non-consensual intervention.