KCBS, Save the California Warm Line

Transcript:

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

The California Peer Run Warm line is not a crisis hotline, like 988.

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

The Warm Line is preventative. You know, it helps folks deescalate the situation. They don't have to call us during crisis. They can call us for literally anything.

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

And Mark Salazar, CEO of the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, which runs the California Peer Run Warm line, says the demand has been off the charts.

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

So last year we were seeing about, you know, 8,000-10,000 calls a month, and then in a six month period it went to 15,000 to 20,000. At the end of the calendar year in 2024, it went to 20,000 to 25,000.

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

He says, many of those callers represent money saved.

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

I think we've estimated about 14,000 calls per year that we prevent going into the ER.

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

But with the state's, $12 billion deficit leading to proposed cuts and salary freezes, the projected budget for the Warm Line has been slashed 75%.

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

You can estimate that probably drops our capacity to about 1,000 to 2,000 calls.

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

KCBS is awaiting a response from the governor's office. In the meantime, Salazar says they're leaning on lawmakers who will have the final say while rallying support on their website: savethewarmline.org. Brett Burkhart, KCBS.