Man campaigning for more access to mental health hotline
By Leah Rainwater
One St. Joseph man is advocating for ways to enhance a national resource.
Tracy Gillespie, a mental health and homeless advocate in St. Joseph, encountered an issue when he was trying to use the 988 hotline for a personal mental health issue.
“I needed some help,” Gillespie said. “My phone was deactivated because, you know, I was late on a bill, so I thought, well man, 988, you know, they can assist me.”
Because Gillespie’s phone was deactivated, the 988 mental health crisis hotline wasn’t a resource he could utilize. However, 911 was accessible.
From that point on, Gillespie realized he wanted to make the 988 hotline operate like 911.
“I just emailed all the senators, the legislators, the representatives, congressmen, the governor,” Gillespie said. “All of them have responded with positive responses. You know, they had no idea that 988 did not operate like 911.”
Given the positive responses Gillespie has received, he’s already come up with a name for the bill.
“If I have an opportunity, I would respectfully request … to name the bill the ‘Jake and Sadie Bill,'” Gillespie said. “That represents two family members that I’ve lost.”
Gillespie said both died following mental health and addiction issues.
“I mean, it’s a young male, a young female,” he said. “I think it would help draw connections to families that have lost when help is available.”
The 988 hotline does more than just assist with suicidal thoughts or feelings.
“If you’re feeling sad or relationships, there’s always someone there, you know, that can talk you down,” Gillespie said. “They can route your treatment team to you, make that connection.”
The three-digit hotline also assists with substance use crises as well.
Gillespie notes there are more than 1,200 suicide deaths in Missouri every year. The number equates to about one suicide every seven hours.
The 988 hotline doesn’t just operate through calls, it also has text, online chatting and video-chatting options.
