From Cook County - December 14, 2023 

Cook County MN Public Health and Human Services would like to answer common questions about what happens when you call 988 in Cook County.

What is 988?

988 is a free and confidential service available 24/7 to call or text to receive support for suicidal ideation. 
The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.[1] People can call, chat, or text with 988 in English or in Spanish.

Who is 988 for?

988 is available for everyone, especially:

• People who are actively experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or a mental health crisis,
• People who are supporting someone who is actively experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress,
  or a mental health crisis,
• People who have lost someone to suicide.
• People looking for mental health resources or support.
• People who do not know who to call or what to do next when feeling overwhelmed.

Who will I talk with?

• First, you’ll hear an automated message featuring additional options while your call is routed to your local 988 Lifeline network crisis center.
• We’ll play you a little music while we connect you to a skilled, trained crisis worker.
• A trained crisis worker at your local center will answer the phone.
• This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and get you the help you need.

988 Lifeline Center calls are free and confidential, and we’re available 24/7.

988 is answered by our regional crisis center, First Call for Help (FCFH), which is based in Grand Rapids, MN. While FCFH is based in Grand Rapids, they connect callers with resources in Cook County such as Grand Portage Human Services or Cook County Public Health and Human Services. The FCFH representative will listen to the caller, assess the severity of their crisis, and determine what resources or response is needed to support the caller.

What happens next?

FCFH may support the caller with creating a safety plan, if it is determined that the caller is not in crisis.
A safety plan includes identifying support people in your life, planning next steps to support yourself, and creating a follow up plan for accountability.

If the caller is experiencing a crisis, FCFH will contact Mobile Crisis Responders who may include Grand Portage Human Services, Cook County Human Services, and/or Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The main goal of the responders is to preserve the caller’s life. Some next steps might include a mental health assessment at North Shore Health Emergency Room, transportation to a regional Crisis Stabilization Center (such as Wellstone or Birch Tree Center) or establishing a formal case manager or therapist.

What else do I need to know?

If you are in Cook County but call from a phone number with a different area code, tell 988 that you are in Cook County, Minnesota (or name the specific town you are in: Grand Portage, Hovland, Grand Marais, Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, etc.). 988 can’t determine where you are located otherwise.

About Cook County, MN 

Cook County encompasses the sovereign nation of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; the City of Grand Marais; the Townships of Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder; and unincorporated areas in the easternmost part of Minnesota’s North Shore. Cook County Government values transparency and strives to deliver superior services and programs in a fiscally responsible way. We value the dignity of all County residents and seek to create a community that provides opportunity for all. Many of our offices are in the Cook County Courthouse at 411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais 55604. Other departments and facilities, such as the Airport, Community Center, Highway and Sheriff are located nearby. Call 218-387-3000 or visit: https://co.cook.mn.us  

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Contact:  

Public Health and Human Services, 218-387-3620 OR Grand Portage Human Services at 218-475-2453