9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is Help for those with thoughts of suicide or facing mental health crisis launches today, July 16, 2022
AGN.News Team
July 16, 2022
WASHINGTON (AGN.News) – Today, the national 988 helpline for those with thoughts of suicide or facing mental health crisis became active. For the US Veterans Crisis Hotline dial 988 then press 1 when prompted.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
“If you’re in crisis and you need support, text 988 or chat with mental health professionals at: 988lifeline.org/chat,” the organization wrote on its website.
When calling 988, the caller is routed to their nearest crisis center to receive immediate counseling and local mental health referrals. The lifeline supports people who call for themselves or someone they care about.
In July 2020, the FCC finalized an order to direct telecommunication carriers to implement 9-8-8 as the new toll-free nationwide telephone number for the hotline by July 16, 2022. To learn more call 988 or go here.
The need for this 9-8-8 helpline became clearer when many people could not remember or did not have access to the toll-free number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Now callers can simply call 988 on their phone and will be instantly connected to a counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week including holidays and weekends.
This is a free, three-digit suicide hotline set up for people of all ages, from seniors, veterans, and the disabled to young people, all over America.
This three-digit suicide prevention hotline was given the green light as 9-8-8. This helpline was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday, December 12, 2019, to be launched nationwide today, Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Today, July 16, 2022, the 988 dial-code becomes operational and becomes accessible to everyone and will provide mental health support and ease pressure on the 911 line, which covers all emergencies.
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