As 988 centers struggle with staffing, some peer supporters feel shut out

for excessive use of psychiatric hospitalizations—and told the state to come up with alternatives—peers were "weaved into all [Georgia's mental health] services," Johnson, who previously ran the state's Department of Behavioral Health, Johnson said: peers have assessed, triaged, and responded to crisis calls since the hotline's launch.

"From the beginning, [Wisconsin's Department of Health Services] had no interest in hearing what the peer voice had to say," Saubers said, referring to the community's desire to be involved with the 988 response as well as potentially answering calls themselves. Another barrier peer counselors say they often face is educational requirements. For example, Wisconsin—despite its 30% vacancy rate of 988 call operators—is just one of the states that requires a bachelor's degree or higher, according to data reviewed by ABC News from state health departments. The bars to fill senior positions are even higher: in Connecticut and West Virginia, managers must have masters' degrees, in addition to various clinical licenses.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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