07/15/2022
The United States' first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline goes live on Saturday. It's designed to be as easy to remember and use as 911, but instead of a dispatcher sending police, firefighters or paramedics, 988 will connect callers with trained mental health counselors.
Starting Saturday, the new national su***de prevention and mental health crisis hotline is 988. Americans will be able to call or text using the three-digital number, or visit 988lifeline.org 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to connect with a trained counselor who is part of the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline network.
“If we can get 988 to work like 911, … lives will be saved,’’ Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said, according to the Associated Press.
Some of the 50 states have already instituted 988 to connect callers to the Lifeline; the three-digit hotline will become available nationwide over the weekend. The Lifeline's old number, 1-800-273-8255, will also continue to take calls. https://to.pbs.org/3AWWsYr