The death of a pageant queen demonstrates the need for a suicide hotline shortcut
AGN.News Team
February 9, 2022
Washington, D.C. (AGN.News) – Recent news of the death of the former Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst, as well as the other countless others who suffered from depression so intense that they felt suicide was the only option to end the pain of depression.
This crisis shows why a three-number phone number that is easy to remember and can be dialed quickly when in need of help should come online. The U.S. now has such a number and it is 988. This number is a shortcut and is designed to reach help quickly.
As of February 2022, if a person wanted to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline of 180 local, independent and state-funded crisis centers, they would have to call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 741741 for help.
At the time of crisis, this 10 digit number (plus 1 when using some landlines) may not be within reach or they may not remember to text TALK to the text number so the person in need of immediate help may choose to take the only option they feel they have at hand, suicide.
Congress approved a 3 digit phone number, 988, to link to a local crisis center in 2020. Every state was required to implement the resources needed to connect with mental health professionals using the 988 number to in-state crisis centers.
Many states have struggled to meet the deadline of July 24 to adopt and fund the required plan to have the number go live in their state. The first part of the plan is for the 988 number to be active as a call-in number (just like 911) and later the text-in option feature will become active.
The 988 shortcut, when dialed, will be redirected to 1-800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Some states have struggled to implement and fund this program in their state.
To help the 988 shortcut, the Biden administration has allocated $282 million, $177 million dollars for infrastructure and $105 million for local crisis centers including staffing, to help setup the 988 in communities within states.
In 2019, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says there were 1.38 million suicide attempts with 47,511 deaths all due to suicide.
They also noted that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. On average, there were 130 suicides every day. In 2019, over 50% of suicides involved firearms.
To learn more of who is of greater risk of suicide and how you can help, please go to afsp.org for more information.
The death of a pageant queen, the former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, demonstrates the need for the 988 suicide hotline shortcut in every state just like 911.
Until this 988 number is fully operational in your area, you or anyone can call 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741 for immediate help.
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AGN.News Team
