The 9-8-8 Mental Health Emergency Line Receives Thousands of Calls, but PAS Line Remains More Frequently Called, Reports Coordinator

The 9-8-8 mental health emergency line has received thousands of calls since its implementation a year ago, but people still call the known number of the PAS Line more frequently, reported its coordinator, Dr. Monserrate Allende.

So far this year, 9-8-8 has received more than 4,700 calls while the ten-digit PAS Line number, which people can reach at 1-800-981-0023, has received more than 168,200 calls, according to Allende.

“1-800 is broader because it works with problems that have to do with disasters, marital problems, economic conflicts, appointment coordination,” Allende explained. “On 9-8-8, we are already talking about both mental health and substance emergencies.”

The 9-8-8 system was established last year in order to improve access to services related to suicide and mental health in Puerto Rico and throughout the United States. In the archipelago, people who call the three-digit number are connected to the PAS Line of the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (Assmca).

“This is an advance, having a three-digit number, because it finally puts mental health as a priority,” said Allende, who stressed that people can call 9-8-8 and the Pas Line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Since last November, the PAS Line also handles calls to 9-8-8 from Hispanics in the United States, therefore the amount of resources has increased, said Allende. More than 9,900 people have called from the United States so far this year to receive services from the Spanish-language line.

“This has been a success, being able to expand emotional support beyond 100 by 35″, expressed Allende. “We are bringing mental health to the United States, to all Hispanics who live and are located there.”

9-8-8 launches Spanish text service in the United States

The 9-8-8 line now has chat and text message services in Spanish, as well as calls, throughout the United States, reported Kelly Clarkevice president of the system.

“We want to make sure that people can communicate in the language that is most comfortable for them,” Clarke stated in English. “We want to increase the options to allow people to choose how they communicate, so whether they want to communicate via text message or if they prefer to communicate via chat, these opportunities already exist.”

Clarke noted that there are a number of reasons why people might prefer to communicate in writing rather than by phone, such as privacy concerns. She also mentioned that some young people prefer the text and chat options. (You can learn more about text and chat options here.)

In Puerto Rico, text message and chat services will soon be activated. The PAS Line currently offers a “chat” option through lineapas.assmca.pr.gov.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, you can contact the PAS Line at 1-800-981-0023 or 9-8-8. The PAS Line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.