The 988 Awareness Project Co-Hosts Event with the Director of the Nevada 988 Call Center

The 988 Awareness Project recently had the privilege of co-hosting a significant event with the Bishop Gorman Substance Abuse and Suicide Awareness Club to welcome Christian Raymer, the Director of Nevada’s 988 Call Center. This event provided students with an inside look at the work being done to support mental health in Nevada. Payson Cunningham, President of the 988 Awareness Project, opened the event by introducing Christian, who brings a wealth of experience from his 16 years in emergency services and trauma care. Today, he serves as the Chief Programs and Development Officer at Crisis Support Services of Nevada, where he oversees the team managing the 988 Lifeline Call Center across the state.

Christian shared insights into the Nevada 988 Call Center, located in Northern Nevada, which serves as the primary point of contact for individuals seeking mental health support through the 988 Lifeline. He explained the center’s process for handling calls, training crisis counselors, and managing the high volume of interactions each month. Currently, over 40 crisis counselors statewide work around the clock, handling nearly 5,000 interactions per month via calls, texts, and online chats. Christian noted that despite the call volume’s steady rise, only 2-3% of calls require transfer to emergency services through 911—a testament to the call center’s effective de-escalation and crisis support methods.

Christian also shared the exciting news that Nevada is preparing to expand the 988 Lifeline’s infrastructure, with plans to open a Southern Nevada 988 Call Center in the coming year. This addition will help meet the increasing demand for mental health services and ensure that more individuals across the state have access to the support they need. Given the upward trend in calls, Christian projects that the Nevada 988 Call Center could soon handle up to 10,000 interactions monthly, further emphasizing the need for this expansion.

The event also welcomed Ciera Bellavance, Executive Director of Hope Means Nevada, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating teen suicide and promoting mental health in Nevada. Ciera spoke passionately about her organization’s mission to empower teens to live hopeful, fulfilling lives, explaining how Hope Means Nevada works with youth across the state to foster mental wellness, provide educational resources, and combat stigma surrounding mental health issues. Ciera emphasized the importance of community partnerships and proactive outreach to make mental health resources accessible to young people, particularly those who may be struggling in silence.

The 988 Awareness Project extends its sincere thanks to both Christian Raymer and Ciera Bellavance for their impactful presentations and for sharing their expertise with all of the students in attendance. This event highlighted the collaborative efforts needed to address mental health challenges across Nevada, bringing together organizations and leaders committed to supporting and empowering individuals through every stage of life. The insights shared by Christian and Ciera underscored the critical role of community partnerships and dedicated mental health professionals in ensuring that everyone, especially young people, can access compassionate, effective care when they need it most.