Skokie Expands 911 Options For Non-Emergency Behavioral Health Calls

SKOKIE, IL — Beginning Aug. 1, Skokie 911 telecommunicators will be able to transfer certain non-emergency behavioral health calls directly to a live representative with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the village anounced.

The new option applies to behavioral health-related calls that do not present an immediate life-safety threat.

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The village said the change is part of the Illinois Community Emergency Services and Supports Act, known as CESSA. The law is designed to connect people experiencing mental health or substance use-related challenges with trained crisis counselors and community-based support.

When someone calls 911, Skokie's trained telecommunicators will continue to assess each call, according to the village. For calls involving an immediate threat to life or safety, including a weapon, crime or serious medical emergency, dispatchers will continue to send police, fire or emergency medical services.

If a call involves a behavioral health crisis without an immediate life-safety or scene-safety concern, the 911 telecommunicator may ask the caller for consent to transfer the call to 988. If the caller agrees, the telecommunicator will connect the caller with a 988 crisis counselor and remain on the line long enough to provide information and make sure the transfer is completed.

The village said 988 crisis counselors are trained to listen, de-escalate, assess crisis needs and connect individuals with appropriate support. In some situations, 988 may also coordinate with a community-based Mobile Crisis Response Team that can respond in person.

If a 988 counselor determines that police, fire or emergency medical services are needed, the call can be transferred back to Skokie's 911 dispatch center for an emergency response.

Skokie also pointed to its Co-Responder Team, launched in 2021, which pairs a licensed Health and Human Services Department social worker with a crisis intervention team-trained Skokie police officer to respond to certain emergency calls involving people in crisis.

Residents may also contact 988 directly by calling or texting 988, or by using online chat, for free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.