Plattsburgh’s newest outdoor mural is celebrated, as is the importance of the message it shares with the community. With the help of Plattsburgh’s Outside Art, the 988 mural was completed this summer on the back wall of Warren Tire Service Center on Broad Street and includes images of the Adirondack mountains, the words “you matter” and the 988 hotline number. Organizers of the mural project gathered last week to thank all the organizations and individuals who helped create and paint the mural. They also talked about the on-going challenges for funding 988 call centers and services year-after-year. Though the hotline has been in service for two years, it does not yet have automatic federal funding, like 9-1-1 call centers. A regional 9-8-8 hotline call & text center in Essex County is now up and running offering 24-hour coverage for a 4-county region covering Clinton, Essex, Franklin & Hamilton Counties. Richelle Gregory, the Director of Community Services in Clinton County, who oversees the office of Mental Health & Addiction Services talked about new programs and initiatives, expanding community services including plans to open a 24-hour crisis center, as well as training for police officers to help with suicide intervention.