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1. What is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) and does 988 replace it?

NSPL is a national network of over 180 local, independent, and state-funded crisis centers. They are equipped to respond and help people in emotional distress or experiencing thoughts of suicide. 

988 does not replace the NSPL phone number but provides another, easier way for people to reach more crisis centers. You can call either 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to be connected. 

2. When did 988 go live nationally?

July 16, 2022. The 988 dialing code is available nationwide. 

Veterans and service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing or texting 988 (or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)). 

3. How is 988 different than 911?

988 was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. 988 provides easier access to the NSPL network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from the public safety purposes of 911. 911’s focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services (EMS), fire, and police as needed. 

4. If I call 988, will first responders, like the police or EMS, be automatically dispatched?

The primary goal of the NSPL is to provide support for people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress in the moments they most need it, and in a manner which is centered on the person in crisis. 

The vast majority of those seeking help from the NSPL do not require any additional interventions at that moment. Currently, fewer than two percent of NSPL calls require emergency services, like 911. While some safety and health issues may warrant a response from law enforcement and/or EMS (namely when a suicide attempt is in progress), the 988 coordinated response is intended to promote stabilization and care in the least restrictive manner. 

5. Will 988 calls be referred to 911?

A small percentage of NSPL calls require activation of the 911 system when there is imminent risk to someone’s life that cannot be reduced during the call. In these cases, the crisis counselor shares information with 911 that is crucial to saving the caller’s life. 

6. Will my call to Lifeline be recorded?

The NSPL greeting states that calls may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance purposes. Additionally, crisis centers in the NSPL network may independently use call recordings for training purposes, dependent on the best practices of the center. 

It’s also important to note that people contacting 988 are not required to provide any personal data to receive services. SAMHSA recognizes the importance and the expectation of privacy when a person contacts 988. The network system has several safeguards to address concerns about privacy. 

7. Is 988 available for substance use crisis?

Yes, you can dial 988 for substance use crises, however, in case of an overdose emergency, call 911 and administer naloxone. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) views 988 as an opportunity to transform the country’s behavioral health crisis system to respond to anyone in need. 

8. How is 988 being funded?

Congress has provided the Department of Health and Human Services workforce funding through the American Rescue Plan, some of which will support the 988 workforce. 

The President’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request provides additional funding for the NSPL itself and for other federal crisis funding sources. 

At the state level, in addition to existing public/private sector funding streams, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 allows states to enact new state telecommunications fees to support 988 operations. 

E2SHB1477 is further funded by a tax on Washington’s phone and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) lines. 

9. What languages will 988 services be available in?

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline currently provides live crisis center calling services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages. Text and chat are currently available in English only. 

10. Will 988 accommodate those who are hard of hearing or blind?

The Lifeline currently serves TTY users either through their preferred relay service or by dialing 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Lifeline also offers services through chat and text. Lifeline is in the process of expanding to video phone service to better serve deaf or hard of hearing individuals seeking help through the Lifeline/988. 

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1. Why is Public Health important?

The work of public health professionals is important because public health initiatives affect people every day in every part of the world. It addresses broad issues that can affect the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities, populations, and societies - both now, and for generations to come.

Public health’s programs help keep people alive. These programs have led to:

• Increased life expectancies
• Worldwide reductions in infant and child mortality
• Eradication or reduction of many communicable diseases

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1. What form of payment is accepted?

• Mail-in: Check/money order payable to NETCHD (do not mail cash)
• Phone: Call 509-684-2262 to order using a credit/debit card
• Walk-in: Cash, check/money order, credit/debit card

Important Note: No refunds will be given if a record could not be located or the documentation you provided did not prove you were eligible to receive a birth/death certificate.

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1. How do women learn about text4baby?

Women can learn about text4baby from over 700 partners who have signed up to help promote text4baby. Partners include:

• City and county health departments
• Clinics
• Colleges and universities
• Corporations
• Federal and state government agencies
• Federally qualified health centers
• Head start/early head start programs
• Health delivery networks
• Health plans
• Healthy start programs and coalitions
• Hospitals
• Local and state and national nonprofit organizations
• Professional associations
• Telecommunication companies
• Tribal agencies

You may also learn more by visiting the text4baby website.

2. Who leads text4baby?

Text4baby is an education campaign of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB). HMHB works with a broad range of partners to encourage the women they reach to take advantage of this free service. CDC, as an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, is one of over 700 partners supporting text4baby.

3. Are the text messages in English and Spanish?

Yes. The text messages are in English and Spanish. Participants can sign up for text4baby in English by texting BABY to 511411. They can sign up for text4baby in Spanish by texting BEBE to 511411.

4. How long will women receive free text messages?

Text4baby is designed for pregnant women through their pregnancy and the first year of their baby’s life.

To stop receiving texts from the text4Baby service, users simply text the word STOP to 511411 from the same phone they use to get the messages.

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1. Are there exemptions not to wear a face covering?

There are some exemptions to the Department of Health (DOH) face covering order, including people with certain disabilities or health conditions, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and children under the age of 2. (Officials encourage use of a face covering by children ages 3 to 5 if possible. Children 5 and older must wear a face covering.)

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1. Are you visiting Washington or coming home?

Travelers and others visiting Washington are advised to comply with the Center for Disease Control's current COVID-19 travel advisory guidance. 

For additional information and tips on precautions to take during your state visit DOH's Travelers & Commuters website. 

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1. What are the symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. 

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combination of symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Other less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness. 

This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. 

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1. What is Opioid Use Disorder?

A problematic pattern of opioid use leading to impairment, distress or poor quality of life.

2. What are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin^®), hydrocodone (Vicodin^®), codeine, morphine, and many others. (NIDA) 

3. What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medications used in MAT are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and MAT programs are clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s needs.

4. What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) safely combines behavioral therapy and medication, such as buprenorphine, to provide a whole-patient approach to treat opioid use disorder. In scientific studies, MAT has been shown to reduce the feeling of withdrawals, cravings and accidental drug poisonings.

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1. What is swimmer's itch?

Swimmer’s itch, also called cercarial dermatitis (sir-CARE-ee-uhl der-muh-TIGHT-iss), appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain parasites that infect some birds and mammals. These microscopic parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans.) While the parasite’s preferred host is the specific bird or mammal, if the parasite comes into contact with a simmer, it burrows into the skin causing and allergic reaction and rash. 

Swimmer’s itch is found throughout the world and is more frequent during summer months.

2. What are the signs of swimmer's itch?

Symptoms include:

• Small blisters
• Small reddish pimples
• Tingling, burning, or itching of the skin

Within minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water, you may experience tingling, burning, or itching of the skin. Small reddish pimples appear within twelve hours. Pimples may develop into small blisters. Scratching the areas may result in secondary bacterial infections. Itching may last up to a week or more but will gradually go away.

3. Do I need to see my health care provider for treatment?

Most cases of swimmer’s itch do not require medical attention. If you have a rash, you may try the following for relief:

• Use corticosteroid cream
• Apply cool compresses to the affected areas
• Bathe in Epson salts or baking soda
• Soak in colloidal oatmeal baths or use lotions such as Aveeno
• Apply baking soda paste to the rash (made by stirring water into baking soda until it reaches a paste-like consistency)
• Use an anti-itch lotion, such as Calamine lotion
• Though difficult, try not to scratch. Scratching may cause the rash to become infected. If itching is severe, your health care provider may suggest a prescription strength lotion or cream to lessen your symptoms.

4. What can be done to reduce the risk of swimmer's itch?

• Do not swim in areas where swimmer’s itch is a known problem or where signs have been posted warning of unsafe water.
• Do not swim near or wade in marshy areas where snails are commonly found.
• Towel dry or shower immediately after leaving the water.
• Do not attract birds (e.g., by feeding them) to areas where people are swimming.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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1. Who can file a waste complaint?

Any individual or agency may file a complaint with the Health District if they believe a public health violation has occurred or when there is dissatisfaction with conditions that may be the responsibility of the Health District.

Generally, the Health District does not disclose information on who files complaints. However, we may be required to release identifying information in response to a public records request or court order, per Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 42.56, information is not release when revealing the identity of a person who files a complaint would endanger their life, physical safety, or property. Complaints can be filed anonymously, however not providing contact information may limit our ability to properly follow-up and investigate the complaint.

2. How does a person file a complaint?

Contact the Health District by phone, online, or in person at any of our office locations.

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

• What the problem is? Briefly describe the type of nuisance and how often it is occurring.
• Where is the problem? Street address or cross streets, city, zip code, and any land marks that will help us locate the site.
• What kind of material is involved? What type of garbage or waste?
• How much is there?

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1. What is a site evaluation?

A well site evaluation is an inspection and written determination by the Health District that states whether a selected site is suitable for the construction of a new well, or whether an existing well is in a suitable site to serve as a sources of drinking water. During a well site evaluation, the land surrounding the proposed new well site is assessed for potential sources of contamination. For evaluations where the well already exists, the well’s visible construction is also assessed for potential problems.

2. When is a well site evaluation required?

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-290 and WAC 246-291 require that a well site evaluation be performed by authorized personnel as part of source approval for any new or previously unapproved source serving a public water system. WAC 246-290 also requires a well site evaluation as part of the approval of a well that serves as the water source for a bottled water plant or ice plant.

3. When might an individual water system owner request a well site evaluation?

Usually, people request site evaluations for loan certification purposed or for evaluation of and assistance with some problem that they are experiencing with their home’s individual water system. 

Please note: a well site evaluation is only appropriate for loan certification on properties that do not already have an existing well and/or the intent is to drill a new well. For properties where the well and water system is already in place, the applicant should request an Operational Survey (PDF) instead.

4. Is a satisfactory well site evaluation the same as a source approval?

No. The well site evaluation is only one of the items required for approval of a well to serve a public water system or bottled water/ice plant.

5. Does approval by Northeast Tri County Health District for a Group B Water System give me legal right to the water?

No. Legal availability of water is determined by the county in which the system is installed or by Washington State Department of Ecology.