Quincy Reporter

In a Sept. 20 Facebook post, Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) shared information on the 988 Suicide Prevention line. 

"The 988 Mental Health Crisis Line isn't just for people having a crisis themselves, but also for those worried about a loved one" Tracy said in a Facebook post. 

Tracy shared a link to a YouTube video where Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) spoke about the 988 hotline, and how suicide has touched his own life.

"We have all been impacted by suicide or a mental health crisis at one time or another, when it comes to family, coworkers, or even ourselves" McConchie said. "In Illinois there are more than 1000 suicide deaths each year. I have personal connection to suicide myself in fact. I have, sadly, had three close friends take their own lives. It's not easy to think about, but these situations exist all around us and I'm thankful that we have a service like 988 to help those people who need the help of others the most. Similar to 911, 988 is a 3-digit number that can be dialed from anywhere in Illinois for people who are feeling suicidal or are struggling with a mental health crisis."

The Illinois Department of Human Services has a detailed page about the new suicide prevention/mental health crisis line.

According to WAND, since the mid-July launch of 988, Memorial Behavioral Health has answered 96% of the calls that have come through. The remaining calls are sent to the other five hubs taking 988 calls in the state.