LinkNYC has added a dedicated 988 dialer to all kiosks, allowing New Yorkers to easily get connected with mental health support
LinkNYC and Latino Social Work Coalition partner to run PSAs on kiosks across New York City — Click HERE to see the PSA
New York, NY – LinkNYC, the public-private partnership that has created the world’s largest and fastest free public Wi-Fi network in New York City, today announced it has added a dedicated dialer for 988, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline to its kiosks. This new permanent resource — unveiled during Mental Health Awareness Month — allows New Yorkers to automatically get connected to mental health services by tapping a single button on any LinkNYC kiosk. Services provided by 988 include immediate crisis intervention, trained counselors, and follow-up care. In addition, in partnership with the Latino Social Work Coalition, LinkNYC will run a PSA on LinkNYC kiosks featuring information about Mental Health Awareness Month and why related services are needed in New York City.
“Our mission is to connect New Yorkers, whether we’re providing them with high-speed broadband or access to life-saving mental health services,” said Nick Colvin, LinkNYC CEO. “LinkNYC kiosks are critical infrastructure that have connected millions of residents and visitors with the resources they need — and ensuring 988’s services are just a tap away is another way we are proud to serve our city.”
“As President of the Latino Social Work Coalition, I am delighted about our partnership with the 988 Crisis Line and LinkNYC”, said Luisa Lopez, President of the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund. “This partnership is a testament to the importance of having culturally and linguistically competent social workers providing support to those in need of crisis intervention. We are honored to be a part of a network of professionals dedicated to the wellbeing of our community, and we recognize the value this collaboration brings to our organization and the individuals we serve. By working together, we can ensure that those in crisis receive the highest quality care possible, and that the unique needs of the Latino community are met with empathy, understanding, and cultural sensitivity.”
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness for those living with mental or behavioral issues, and reducing stigma against those struggles. One in five New Yorkers struggle with mental health issues or symptoms of a mental illness every year, yet thousands are not connected to care — and Black, Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islander New Yorkers are less likely to be connected to mental healthcare than white New Yorkers. Access to related services also differs significantly based on borough, with only 20% of residents with mental health needs in the Bronx and Brooklyn receiving treatment.
“I am proud that, along with my Assembly District 58 Mental Health Taskforce, we introduced the idea of promoting the 988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline on LinkNYC kiosks. This partnership has resulted in 2,000 kiosks around New York City, advertising 988 with a direct call-in line to this critical service,” said Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman. “This effort shows the understanding that crisis does not discriminate by time or place. This Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to honor those who courageously call for help and thank our partners at LinkNYC. They are not just talking about the mental health crisis; they are contributing to the solution. It’s time we took care of each other.”
In 2022, 988 became the United States hotline number for all mental health and substance abuse disorder crises, as part of a national initiative to better address related issues without involving law enforcement. Within the first six months of the hotline changing to a three-digit number, call centers received over 2 million inquiries. There are currently 13 operating 988 crisis contact centers in New York State, covering all 62 counties. The hotline has translation services available for over 250 languages, so non-english speaking callers can still access care.
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About LinkNYC
LinkNYC is the world’s largest and fastest free public Wi-Fi network. Each Link kiosk provides free superfast Wi-Fi, phone calls, device charging, access to social services, and displays content such as real-time weather, transit info, public art, and local information. The city-wide network has more than 13 million Wi-Fi users and has connected more than 25 million free phone calls. All of LinkNYC’s services are completely free to users and taxpayers, provided by CityBridge, a partnership led by Intersection and ZenFi Networks. The second generation offering will deploy thousands of new kiosks, called Link5G, enabled with 5G wireless technology across the city. For more information about LinkNYC or to find a Link near you, visit www.link.nyc.
About the Latino Social Work Coalition
The Latino Social Work Coalition works to increase the number of culturally and linguistically competent Latino and bilingual social workers serving low income and underserved communities. They support social work students and professionals in achieving their academic and professional goals by providing scholarships, community outreach, networking opportunities, mentorship, and education and professional development opportunities. The coalition was started in 2002 as part of a collaboration between the Puerto Rican Family Institute and the New York City Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. For more information, visit www.latinosocialworkcoalition.org.