You Matter: Community partners in Douglas County launch 988 Lifeline sign initiative

Signs that focus on connecting people experiencing crisis to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are now placed at public parks and recreational areas in Douglas County.

“Suicide prevention is a community responsibility. As law enforcement officers and first responders, we are too familiar with people unfortunately visiting some of these sites with the intention of taking their own life,” Douglas County Undersheriff Stacy Simmons said. “These signs represent a collaborative effort among so many groups to come together and share the message that everyone needs to hear: ‘You matter.’” 

Douglas County Public Works crews began placing signs in April at sites around Clinton Lake, Wells Overlook and several other sites across the county. The City of Lawrence is working to add signs, and the plan is to expand and place more signs in parks and public places in Lawrence, Baldwin City, Eudora and Lecompton in the future.

This intervention originated from the first Suicide Fatality Review Board meeting after the Sheriff's Office and first responders identified a pattern of crisis calls in parks and recreation areas. The Sheriff's Office provided funding for the project as well as dispatch data to identify hot spots. 

Research from suicide prevention organizations across the Midwest and around the country supports the use of 988 Lifeline signage as an effective awareness tool. Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health examined both the data and research, then formed a work group to carry out the initiative.

LDCPH and Douglas County also lead the work group for the Behavioral Health plank of the Douglas County Community Health Improvement Plan.

“Too many members of our community struggle without a sense of hope or the supports they need.  What they need to know in those moments is that they matter, that life’s worth living, and you can always find a reason to be hopeful,” said Bob Tryanski, Douglas County’s director of behavioral health projects. “The purpose of this project is to ensure that folks know the help they need is available by pressing three numbers on their phone: 9-8-8.”

The Community Health Improvement Plan includes an objective to decrease the county’s age-adjusted suicide mortality rate from 14.3 to 12.8 per 100,000 population by 2029.

"Even though 988 has been a national initiative since 2022, many people still do not know about it. You do not have to be the person experiencing a crisis or thinking about suicide to call," said Megan Bridges, director of crisis services at HeadQuarters Kansas. "If you are concerned about someone, you can call anytime to connect with a trained counselor, 24/7. The 988 lifeline is free and confidential through one-on-one assistance with a skilled, judgement-free counselor. 988 is available 24/7 by calling, texting, or chatting by visiting 988lifeline.org."

The signs include the 988 number and the 988LifeLine.org link with the goal of providing immediate resources to someone in crisis. The 988 Lifeline can also be accessed in Spanish by calling 988 and selecting "2" or texting "ayuda" to 988.

"Thanks to the leadership of the Sheriff’s Office and our partners across Douglas County who showed up for each other, we have been able to deliver a simple but long-lasting message that you matter and that help is available when and where you need it," said Sarah Landry, Zero Suicide program coordinator at LDCPH.

The 988 sign work group included members of LDCPH, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, HeadQuarters Kansas, Douglas County, DCCCA and Engage Douglas County.

The group marked the community project with a sign-dedication ceremony on April 30 at Wells Overlook Park.