2/29/2024
Evaluation research staff at the University of Wisconsin-Population Health Institute (UWPHI) developed a data dashboard highlighting the importance of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline service in Wisconsin. The public-facing dashboard launched on the Department of Health Services (DHS) website on February 22nd, 2024.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 connection to free, confidential support with a trained counselor. People experiencing a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis can contact the 988 Lifeline by call, text, or chat. Since the 988 phone number launched nationwide in July 2022, Wisconsin Lifeline counselors have answered over 90,000 calls.
“More and more people are learning about 988 and reaching out through calls, texts, and chats for support. 988 is such a vital service for Wisconsinites, and the data dashboard is intended to help the public, stakeholders, policy makers, etc. understand the impact of 988 in Wisconsin,” Janae Goodrich, the Wisconsin 988 Co-Principal Investigator and Evaluator, said.
In an effort to increase transparency of 988 in Wisconsin, the dashboard includes data points like the number of calls answered, the number of calls by county, the top reasons for calling, and the percentage of calls that are resolved by providing support and/or resources. It also includes self-reported demographics for callers, texters, and chatters.
There are various interactive components embedded in the dashboard, including a line chart where you can zoom in on selected time periods. There is also a map, and when you hover over a county, the pop up will include how many calls have been received from that county thus far. The demographic page allows toggling between callers and texters and chatters.
“The data dashboard includes icons, bright colors, and easy-to-understand charts and maps to guide the user through the information. We incorporated user-centered design practices throughout the dashboard, and our goal is for people to interact with the dashboard and easily understand the complex information,” Erin Skalitzky, the Co-Principal Investigator and Dashboard Designer, said.
The dashboard is a product of a collaborative partnership consisting of DHS, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, and UWPHI. The final product includes feedback from experts and those with lived experience. Now that the dashboard is launched, the 988 Evaluation Team at UWPHI will be responsible for maintaining and updating the data dashboard. However, according to Caleb Hogeterp, the Data Dashboard Analyst, there is always room for improvement.
“We encourage the use of 988 data for quality improvement. Our 988 evaluation team will be improving the dashboard over time by adding new data points and interactive features. Explore the dashboard, and if you want to provide feedback on the dashboard, please complete the brief, anonymous survey found in the ‘About this Dashboard’ section,” said Hogeterp.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 connection to free, confidential support with a trained counselor. Call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org
This work was funded by SAMHSA grant #1H79FG001155 01.
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