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988 Emergency Response to Imminent Risk

Lifeline center counselors are trained to help callers experiencing a variety of mental health challenges. The process can include a risk assessment which allows the counselors to assess the risk of harm to the caller or others. If an individual is at risk of death the counselor may include the help of law enforcement, or, when available, a mobile crisis response. The Department is working alongside peer advocates and individuals with lived experience to create a system of care which keeps consent at the forefront for all who utilize 9-8-8. Currently, Lifeline counselors are not able to geolocate, in the same way that 9-1-1 operators are able to. Since the Vermont call centers began taking calls in the summer of 2021, over 98% of calls require no further emergency intervention. While counselors are trained to provide interventions and build rapport with callers, they will only involve police or other emergency services if there is an imminent risk to the life and safety of the caller or another individual.