WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Kansas promotes 988 as a lifeline for people in crisis, but new state data shows calls and texts aren’t always answered fast enough. A report from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services found that centers across the state are dealing with staffing shortages.
COMCARE, Sedgwick County’s mental health agency, operates one of five centers in Kansas answering 988 calls and texts. The new 988 report shows the state is missing key response goals, particularly for crisis texts, which younger people are more likely to use. The state’s benchmark aims to answer 988 calls within 20 seconds and to respond to at least 80% of texts.
The report covers 988 calls and text data from January 2025 to November 2025…