988 Crisis Systems Response: Connecting Through Faith: Promoting 988 in Faith-Based Communities

Appropriate and effective communication and marketing strategies are essential to building awareness and understanding of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and connecting people to crisis support when they need it. Faith-based communities are often trusted sources of support, connection, and guidance, making them valuable partners in increasing awareness and understanding of 988.

This webinar will equip crisis response professionals, 988 contact centers, behavioral health providers, and community outreach organizations with strategies for effectively engaging faith leaders and congregations as partners in effective crisis response and prevention efforts. Participants will explore approaches for building authentic relationships with faith communities, developing community-aligned messaging, addressing stigma related to mental health and help-seeking, and leveraging faith-based networks to reach individuals who may be reluctant to engage with traditional behavioral health services.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the role of faith-based organizations as trusted partners in promoting awareness and utilization of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Understand how to use compassionate, life-affirming language when discussing suicide, addiction, and emotional distress in faith communities
• Identify strategies for building and sustaining partnerships with faith leaders and congregations to support crisis prevention and linkage to care

The Crisis Systems Response Training and Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC) provides support to States, Territories, Tribal organizations, and community partners across the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network and behavioral health crisis continuum of care. The goal of the CSR-TTAC is to support a crisis care system that is integrated, sustainable, fair, and aligned around evidence-based and evidenced-informed practices.