Importance: The 988 Suicide odds ratio OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.21-9.68; P = .02) but less difficulty recruiting staff (76% 72 of 95 vs 89% 55 of 62; OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.14-0.98; P = .04). Respondents from centers with all paid staff reported greater difficulty recruiting compared with centers using at least some volunteers (86% 102 of 118 vs 66% 27 of 41; OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.42-7.60; P = .006). Leaders at centers handling only 988 contacts reported less difficulty retaining staff than those also handling non-988 lines (63% 17 of 27 vs 83% 109 of 132; OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.14-0.92; P = .03). Wide 95% CIs indicate uncertainty in the magnitude of these results. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional survey study of 988 Lifeline leaders, results suggested that most centers struggled to find resources to keep the center fully staffed. If staffing challenges persist, centers could face risks to staff well-being and service quality. Financing and operational strategies that support recruitment and retention will be critical to sustaining the quality and accessibility of 988 Lifeline centers.
Matthews et al. (Tue,) studied this question.