PRINCETON, WV (WOAY) – On this 988 Day and every day, it’s about ‘Compassionate help. Anytime. Anywhere.’
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, local EMS agencies, and city police received official 988 decals for their vehicle fleets.
Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities says, “By placing 988 next to 911, we are sending a clear message that mental health emergencies are as urgent as police, fire, or medical crises.”
The 988 Campaign is important to the MCSD because it wants to get the word out about available resources when one is in distress.
“Over the last couple of years, we’ve made a concerted effort here at the sheriff’s office to get more involved in the mental health aspect, not only for the community, but also for our officers,” Chief Deputy Jesse Ruble said. “We feel like it’s a worthwhile project to be involved in.”
You are not alone. 988 Day is for showing up and caring out loud. When you put a 988 decal on your vehicle, the importance of the mental health and suicide prevention lifeline is evident.
Mental health matters, and the Lifeline provides judgment-free support 24/7/365. In crisis: Call or text 988. They say, “It’s ok not to be okay.”
“We’re actually gonna put ours on the back of our truck, so that way if someone’s driving behind us, they can see that. Or if we’re parked somewhere, it’ll be visible to the public,” said Bluefield Rescue Squad Chief of Operations Tracey Wright. “I think it’s important to get awareness out there and to help the community because mental health is a big thing in this area. We run a lot of mental health calls.”
You’ll see those 988 stickers all around Mercer County.
“If somebody has thoughts of harming themselves or being down, knowing and seeing that number pass by them, that there is an option for them to call is a great thing,” Princeton Police Department Patrolman Aaron Green said. “I’m honored to be a part of it and to carry it on my cruiser.”
It is imperative to connect with the community in their time of need.
“We’ve implemented a couple of service coordinators with the sheriff’s office to help in that aspect, too,” said Ruble. “If we get people who call here, we can have the SC reach out to them and get the proper resources.”
The 988 stickers are available at Community Connections on Courthouse Road or your local police department.
“The majority of the time we have stickers there and pamphlets stating: what 988 is and what it stands for,” Green said.
