Douglas Emhoff tours 988 call center for mental health
Vice President Kamala Harris' husband has visited 988 call center that's part of the recently launched national hotline intended to help anyone experiencing a mental health emergency
WASHINGTON (AP) — Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, on Friday visited a 988 call center that's part of the recently launched national hotline intended to help anyone experiencing a mental health emergency.
Emhoff, who has spoken out on the importance of mental health for adults and children, and who last week addressed the pain of rising antisemitism, met with crisis counselors and call center operators in Hyattsville, Maryland.
“Instead of calling 911 for emergency, we need to get everyone to know that it’s 988 for any issue that revolve around mental health or suicidal ideation or those feelings of being alone,” said Emhoff. He noted that the average hold time on calls is 32 seconds.
The Biden administration wants to highlight the 988 helpline as a support system, particularly as the holiday season often brings up feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.
