NORTH CAROLINA, USA — A new support service is connecting those with mental illness and substance use disorder with others who are recovering from similar circumstances.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the statewide Peer Warmline works alongside the North Carolina 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by giving callers the option to speak to someone with similar life experiences, referred to as "Peer Support Specialists."
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new phone service was held Tuesday in Charlotte at the Promise Resource Network.
Holly Doggett, the Executive Director of Nami North Carolina, said the state is in a good place with the new resources.
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“We're very fortunate in this state to have that as a resource," Doggett told WCNC Charlotte. “There's something very reassuring about picking up the phone, and calling someone and knowing that the person on the other end of that line appears just like you,”
Starting Tuesday, people in need of assistance and wanting to speak with a peer can call the Warmline at 1-855-PEERS-NC (855-733-7762), according to NCDHHS. Those who call 988 will have the option to be transferred to the new service.
More than 40% of 988 callers are repeat callers, according to the NCDHHS.
"When you’re in a tough spot, sometimes the best person to talk with is a person who has had similar experiences," NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley said in a statement. "The Peer Warmline expands our behavioral health crisis system in North Carolina toward the goal of meeting people where they are and helping prevent crises in the first place."
Sarah Waleed, the Assistant Director of Policy and Programs for the Division of Mental Health said the hotline is truly about connections.
“This is really not a treatment, but anybody you can reach out to who can give you a caring ear and get to connect it to the resources," Waleed said. “Giving somebody that hope, can really change the trajectory of a person's you know, next few hours next few moments."
A caring ear that can truly make a difference.
Assistance can be reached by dialing 988. Help is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
If you or a loved one are facing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, there is help readily available. You can call Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat with them online. There are also resources in North Carolina available here and in South Carolina available here.
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