By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post

Mental Health is an issue not only in the United States but in the Nebraska Panhandle and Alliance.&nbsp; Sunday was the one year anniversary of  the introduction of 988, the new Suicide Prevention Hotline.&nbsp; Alliance Police Chief Phil Lukens explains that tackling mental health in the community is a major priority and that 988 is beneficial.

"The value that it has is that we're able to provide assistance to people where they need it," Lukens said.&nbsp;

Lukens says that as a police department, they took what is called the "One Mind Pledge," through the International Association of Chief's of Police to get the whole department trained on crisis intervention.

He also says that it is vital to provide resources to community members not only who might be in crisis but as he explains, might just need someone to talk to.&nbsp; If you or someone is in distress or going through a crisis, call or text 988.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostMental Health is an issue not only in the United States but in the Nebraska Panhandle and Alliance.&nbsp; Sunday was the one year anniversary of the introduction of 988, the new Suicide Prevention Hotline.&nbsp; Alliance Police Chief Phil Lukens explains that tackling mental health in the community is a major priority and that 988 is beneficial."The value that it has is that we're able to provide assistance to people where they need it," Lukens said.&nbsp;Lukens says that as a police department, they took what is called the "One Mind Pledge," through the International Association of Chief's of Police to get the whole department trained on crisis intervention.He also says that it is vital to provide resources to community members not only who might be in crisis but as he explains, might just need someone to talk to.&nbsp; If you or someone is in distress or going through a crisis, call or text 988.

Alliance Police Chief comments on Mental Health and 988