NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — State Radio, the statewide dispatching center that serves 26 counties in North Dakota, can now transfer 911 callers to 988. 988 serves as a help hotline for distressed callers who are not a threat to themselves or others, or just those who want to talk. Public Safety Telecommunicators with State Radio can now transfer the caller directly for specialized mental and emotional support, thanks to a recent integration between State Radio and 988. Before the integration, Public Safety Telecommunicators would either dispatch an ambulance or officer, or could encourage the caller to hang up and call 988. "This is kind of why this partnership came around. That way, we don't have to tell somebody, 'Hang up and call 988,' because they may not ever call them," says Deputy Director of State Radio Miranda Jangula. "It might have taken a lot for them to call us in the first place and have them hang up and call somebody else. We just don't want them to not get the help they need." Minot issues snow removal emergency proclamation ahead of clipper storm State Radio Public Safety Telecommunicators will ask the caller for permission before transferring them to 988, and can brief the 988 staff member beforehand. "Our dispatchers are not trained in that mental health field that the professionals at 988 are," Jangula said. "So it's so much nicer to be able to transfer them over to somebody who they can talk to, who can help them and understands what they need and how." Other public safety answering points that can transfer 911 to 988 include Fargo Red River Dispatch, Barnes County Dispatch, Grand Forks County Dispatch, and Richland County Dispatch. The 988 Lifeline has many options for people who want to talk, which include calling and texting. For more information, visit the 988 Lifeline website. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW