NEW SUICIDE HOT LINE GOES LIVE

Dial 988 – Planned as National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

Sometimes the government actually listens and helps.

The Federal Communication Commissioner Ajit Pai has championed the creation of a three digit national phone number for those in critical circumstances and looking for help.  Suicide prevention has risen to the American consciousness which is a good thing.   The interest correlates to the epidemic level suicides impacting law enforcement, first responders and military veterans that are in the news and all over the social media platforms. Suicides outside of those segments is also on the rise.

Prior to the establishment of the 988 national number those seeking help would have to dial a ten-digit number, 800-273-TALK (if they even knew it) to access help.  The new number will be subject to an extensive public relations and marketing campaign to raise awareness and prompt those in crisis to use it and quickly get connected to help.

The importance of this change cannot be over stated, is driven by the numbers.  In 2018 more than 2.2 million calls were received by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 163 crisis centers around the country.  Also considered was the 10 million plus American adults that seriously contemplated committing suicide and 1.5 million that attempted it.  Suicide rates have continued to rise since WWII and sadly 47,000 die annually by suicide.

Making it easier for the millions of those in need was the exact focus of this major development.  The existing 1-800-273-TALK is and has been savings lives and will remain active during the transition period and beyond. The 988 number will be a faster way for those at a most critical time.  This author believes that using the “9” number equates to the same psychology as 911.  The 988 will be synonymous with I need help right now.