The Local Skinny! 988 Suicide And Crisis Line Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary
-information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services
The three-digit suicide and crisis lifeline number – 988 – recently celebrated its first anniversary and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services officials say trained crisis counselors field about 5,000 calls each month.
The number – 988 – connects North Carolinians via call, chat or text to a trained counselor who will listen, offer support and provide community resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to information from DHHS. The service is provided through a state-federal partnership between NCDHHS and the U. S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration.
“988 has made it easier and faster for those in a mental health or substance use crisis to get the help they need,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “It is a critical step forward in strengthening our crisis system throughout the state.”
Every person who connects with 988 is offered support. The call center provides trained crisis counseling and connects callers to help in their local community based on each caller’s specific needs. Callers are connected in real-time to specialized, community-based crisis responders 24/7, if that level of support is needed.
Since its launch in July 2022, there has been a 31 percent increase in North Carolinians reaching out for support – 60 percent are new callers and 40 percent are repeat callers looking for additional support.
Early indicators suggest 988 is highly effective, showing 90 percent of individuals with thoughts of suicide reported improvement in how they were feeling by the end of their call. Operational improvements are also evident. North Carolina’s average speed to answer is 19 seconds, while the national average is 41 seconds (at the start of last year, the national average was 2 minutes and 39 seconds).
“We are encouraged by the significant increase in connections to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. “We’re seeing 988 help more and more people in real time, which means more people are getting the care they need when they need it. That makes 988 a powerful tool for addressing our mental health and substance use crisis.”
Callers who reach out to 988 have the option to connect with specialized crisis lines providing support services to Veterans and their families, LGBTQ+ youth and young adults (e.g., the Trevor Project Line), and to Spanish-speakers. Text and chat services are reaching individuals of all ages, particularly adolescents and young adults, with 39 percent of chats and texts coming from individuals 13-24 years old. With the recent addition of 24/7 Spanish chat and text services, 988 is expanding its reach into Spanish-speaking communities. As part of that broader commitment to health equity, NCDHHS continues to refine its 988 marketing to reach communities across North Carolina, tailoring campaigns for youth, older adults, rural communities, people with disabilities and Black and Indigenous People of Color.
NCDHHS is also pursuing additional ways to enhance 988. Using data obtained throughout the last year, and feedback from people with lived experience, NCDHHS is launching a supplemental service line that will enable 24/7 peer support services for individuals who contact 988 and prefer to speak to someone with lived experience. This peer “warm line” will connect these individuals to a Certified Peer Support Specialist — someone living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder. By incorporating peer support into 988, the NCDHHS “warm line” promotes an anti-stigma approach to mental health and substance use, and it expands the evidence-based services 988 can offer.
Governor Roy Cooper’s proposed $1B Behavioral Health and Resilience plan proposes additional investment in 988 and other community-based crisis services including:
- Mobile Crisis Teams: Immediate, on-site support for people experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis
- Facility-Based Crisis Centers and Drop-in Centers: Community-based crisis centers for individuals experiencing a behavioral health or substance use crisis
- Statewide Transportation Services: Transportation services to psychiatric facilities that do not involve law enforcement
988 is available to anyone, anytime. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Individuals who speak Spanish can now connect directly to Spanish-speaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting “AYUDA” to 988, or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org or 988Lifeline.org.
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Home And Garden Show
— On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
- Check Soil moisture before watering plants.
- Wear proper PPE when doing Garden chores Stay Hydrated !!!!!!
- Check daily for insects and disease in the garden
- Start planning for Lawn renovation now! Ex. Soil test, grass seed,Carolina Lawns publication
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The Local Skinny! Brick Power Team Lifts The Spirit Through Weights
The Brick is sponsoring the Henderson Open Championships later this summer, and winners qualify to participate in the World Championships, scheduled for mid-November in Virginia Beach.
The Brick is a weight-lifting ministry affiliated with – and located beside – Freedom Life Church of God on Martin Creek Road. Part of the group’s ministry, according to Harry Orr, is to put on fundraisers like the Henderson Open Championships, which takes place on Sept. 8 and 9.
“We’ve got a good weightlifting team out there,” Orr said of the Brick on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
Orr said his group is hosting the meet for 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation, and classes of events include bench press and curls. Register before Aug. 31 online at https://rawpowerlifting.com/.
Orr, who turns 70 next month, is a hall of famer in the weightlifting world. He said he enjoys seeing others get involved in the sport as well.
“I just love to see people get in it…and have fun with it,” he said. In a world where there are so many bad things people can get tangled up in, it’s good to see people get involved in something positive like powerlifting. “It’s something good for them to do,” he said.
Freedom Life’s pastor, Jeff Prewer, is among the ministry’s biggest supporters, Orr said, having them come before the congregation after big wins.
“We want to serve the Lord the best we can,” Orr said. “People have other methods of doing it – we do it through weightlifting.”
The Brick is located at 1001 Martin Creek Rd.
Weigh-ins are Friday, Sept. 8 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and again on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Lifting begins at 9 a.m.
Weightlifters must present an acceptable form of photo ID – driver’s license, state ID, school ID and passport are acceptable. Work ID badges and recreational/social club ID cards are not acceptable. All participants must show proof of membership in the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation as well; annual memberships are $40.
Entry fees for the Henderson Open Championships are $65 for bench press, deadlift and strict curl; $75 for push/pull division and $35 for crossover. These fees should be paid, along with completed registration, no later than Saturday, Aug. 31.
Contact Paul Bossi, one of the meet directors, at 252.339.5025 or by email at rawlifting@aol.com to register. Visit https://rawpowerlifting.com/ to find registration documents and rules and regulations.
Contact Orr at 252.432.4196 to learn more about The Brick.
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The Local Skinny! Vance County Schools Preps For Opening
(This script features a correction from its first version specically about the open house event. The Viper Nation Fall Open House will be held for all high school students on August 3rd at 5 p.m.)
That day that everyone knew was coming, but hoped it wouldn’t be here quite so fast, is suddenly knocking on the proverbial door – Open House and orientations for Vance County High School.
The orientation for students who will be in 12th grade is scheduled for Monday, July 31, beginning at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the orientation session will begin at 6 p.m.
Students in the 10th and 11th grades will have orientations on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Tenth graders will assemble at 5 p.m. and 11th graders will gather for a 6 p.m. orientation.
Last, but not least, 9th graders will attend their orientation on Thursday, Aug. 3 at 4 p.m.
The Viper Nation Fall Open House will be held for all high school students on August 3rd at 5 p.m.
Vance County High School Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III said the upcoming orientations will provide families and students valuable information about the 2023-24 school year.
“In an effort to ensure families and students have the necessary information for the upcoming year, we are hosting individual grade-level orientations and Open House,” Whitt stated. “During orientation, families will have the opportunity to meet our administrators and office staff, update contact/pick up information, and sign up to volunteer and join our booster club.”
Visit https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/ to learn more about VCS.
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Estate Sale in Henderson Fri-Sun, July 14-16
SPONSORED: A three-day estate sale takes place this week at the home of Bill Mast, who died in May 2022.
Mast founded Mast Drug Company in Henderson in 1962 and developed it into a successful chain of retail drug stores.
He was born in the mountains of North Carolina, but found his way to Henderson not too long after graduating from UNC’s Pharmacy School in 1957.
An auction company is handling the sale, which begins on Friday and continues through Sunday at 550 Deepwood Dr.
In addition to artwork and china, there are many collectibles as well as office equipment, home décor and more.
The sale is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 14, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 16, according to information from Howie and Huggins Estate and Moving Sales (Pinehurst, NC), the auction company handling the sale.
Visit https://www.howieandhuggins.com to see photos.
— written by Laura Gabel; John Rose contributed to this story
— THIS ORIGINATED AS PART OF AN ADVERTISEMENT ON WIZS RADIO
“Pop The Hood” Change Your Oil, Keep Your Engine Hummin’
— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.
Today’s cars and trucks let their owners know when it’s time to change the oil, but drivers who are used to keeping up with it themselves may still have the “every 3,000 miles” ingrained into their thoughts.
However you keep up with it, changing the oil is probably the single most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle’s engine.
And for those do-it-yourselfers, the knowledgeable staff at Advance Auto Parts can help steer you to the proper oil and oil filter for your vehicle.
Most motorists know that oil changes have to happen at least periodically, even if they don’t know precisely when or how often.
The folks at Advance Auto can help you with questions about brands, types, weights of oil.
If you decide to change the oil yourself, always remember Safety First!
Following are a few reminders when changing the oil in your car or truck:
- Park on a level surface and put chocks behind the tires.
- It doesn’t hurt to put a jack stand under the car – even if it isn’t jacked up – for extra protection.
- Gather tools and materials – gloves, eye protection, funnel, drain pan.
- Don’t over-tighten the oil plug or filter.
- Let the oil drain for about 15 minutes.
- Make sure the old oil filter gasket doesn’t stay stuck to the engine!
Advance Auto Parts stores have oil disposal receptacles. Please dispose of used oil and filters properly.
The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS. Safety First! Always seek proper help. This is presented for its informational value and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.
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Home And Garden Show
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
- Provide extra support for heavy fruited tomato plants
- Skip the Japanese Beetle traps.
- Check daily for insects and disease in the garden
- It’s OK to plant trees and shrubs through the summer, but be prepared to monitor soil moisture closely.
- Check that rain gauge after rains and record the date and amount in garden journal.
- Avoid putting disease infested plants or weeds that have flowered into the compost pile.
- Yellow jackets can be a problem now. Locate the nest from a safe distance and use wasp hornet spray after dark.
- Freeze that locally grown fruit to enjoy later this year. Melons and berries are easy to freeze.
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The Local Skinny! Children’s Events At Perry Memorial Library
Perry Memorial Library’s summer programs continue this week with a variety of fun and games, according to Children’s Service Director Melody Peters.
Bring the kids and enjoy a movie Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., then stay for a game of BINGO, Peters said during a conversation recorded with WIZS co-host Bill Harris that was played on-air Monday during The Local Skinny!
The movie, Big Hero 6, is a 2014 animated movie that includes robots, good guys and bad guys.
Stay for BINGO at 4:30 p.m. and kids might just learn a little math, Peters said, because this BINGO is all about money.
In these days of debit cards and online payments, Peters said children often miss out on learning about money, specifically coins.
This program is for children in grades K-12, and there will be more difficult BINGO cards for the older players, she said.
Then, on Thursday, the weekly storytime will have a summertime theme.
The Lego club continues to meet on Thursday afternoons as well. The fun begins at 4 p.m.
Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn more.
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Home And Garden Show
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
- Keep your garden journal updated daily
- Tomatoes and peppers may drop blossoms during hot weather, but fruit set should resume after temps fall again.
- Pull out suckers on your tomatoes
- Tall fescue can go dormant during summer months, needing little water.
- Provide irrigation for your garden vegetables needs at least 1 inch of water per week.
- Many vegetable crops can be planted in July to extend your harvest into late summer and fall.
- Always read the label each time you use a pesticide
- Check label for temperature guidance when using herbicides.
- Start making plans for a fall garden. Ex seed, design of the fall garden
- If planning a tall fescue lawn renovation, time to get busy.
- When you hear thunder it is time to leave the garden.
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