On Saturday, the U.S. will cross the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Rescue Line to 988 – an easily memorable three-digit number for emergency care 24/7. The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put an end to the crisis. caring more in the reach of people in need. This initiative is part of President Biden’s comprehensive strategy to address our nation’s mental health crisis, and is identified by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra as a top priority at HHS. Since January 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration has made unprecedented investments to support the 988 transition, investing $ 432 million to scale up emergency center capacity and ensure that all Americans have access to help during mental health crises.
The National Suicide Hotline Nomination Act, signed into law after the passage of bipartisan legislation in 2020, authorized 988 as a new three-digit number for suicide and mental health crisis. All telephone services and text providers in the United States and the five main U.S. territories are required by the FCC to activate 988 by July 16 at the latest.
“988 is more than a number, it’s a message: we’re there for you. Through this and other actions, we treat mental health as a priority and put emergency care within reach of more Americans,” said Secretary Becerra, who met with states across the country on the transition to 988 as part of the HHS National Tour. to Strengthen Mental Health. “There is still a lot of work to be done. But what matters is that we launch, 988 will be alive. We are looking for every governor and every state in the nation to do their part to make this a long-term success.”
The Biden Harris Administration has increased federal investment in the 988 Suicide & amp; Crisis Lifeline 18 times – from $ 24 million to $ 432 million – to expand emergency centers and security center capacity, and provide special services, including subnetwork for Spanish speakers.
The $ 432 million included $ 105 million in grant funding to states and territories, provided by the U.S. Rescue Plan, to improve response rates, increase capacity to meet future demand and ensure that calls initiated in their states or territories are first directed to local, regional, or state emergency call centers. Prior to that investment, the Lifeline, which has existed since 2005, has long been unfunded and insufficiently rhyming.
The 988 Suicide & amp; Crisis Lifeline is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers supported by HHS through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
“Recent investments made in the Lifeline have already resulted in more calls, chats and texts answered even as volume has increased, but we know too many people are still experiencing a suicide crisis or mental health distress without the support they need.” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and leader of SAMHSA. “Over time, the vision for 988 is to have additional emergency services available in communities across the country, as well as operational emergency services. The success of 988 depends on our continued partnership with states, as the federal government cannot do that alone. We urge states and territories to join us and invest more in responding to the call to transform our emergency response nationwide. ”
FCC staff first proposed 988 in a report to Congress in August 2019 as the nationwide, easy-to-remember, 3-digit phone code for individuals in crisis to connect to suicide prevention and mental health counselors with the National Suicide Prevention Rescue Line. On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted rules designating 988 for that purpose. Recognizing the need to better support at-risk communities in crisis, including youth and individuals with disabilities, the FCC adopted additional rules in November 2021 to expand access to this important service by establishing the ability to also text 988.
“Across our country people are suffering. They need help. The good news is that getting that help has simply become much easier. Starting tomorrow, 988 will be available nationwide for individuals in crisis, and their loved ones, to reach the 988 Suicide & amp; Crisis Lifeline more easily, “said FCC President Jessica Rosenworcel. “This cross-government effort has been going on for years and is coming at a crucial point to help address the mental health crisis in our country, especially for our young people.”
VA manages the Veterans Crisis Line through the Lifeline’s national network. Due to VA’s partnership with the Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line is affected by this transition to a new number. Veterans and their loved ones can now Dial 988 then Press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
“988 has long come and will serve as a critical resource during an emergency when every second is worth it. The new, shorter number will help ensure Veterans have easier access to the Veterans Crisis Line,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. is a government-wide approach in line with the president’s call to prioritize mental health by enhancing access to emergency services and preventing Veteran suicide, our top clinical priority. “
In 2021, the Lifeline received 3.6 million calls, chats and texts. That number is expected to at least double within the first full year after the 988 transition.
The United States had one death from suicide every 11 minutes in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10-14 and 25-34. From April 2020 to 2021, more than 100,000 people died from overdoses. Studies have shown that after speaking with an educated crisis counselor, most Lifeline callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful.
The 10-digit Lifeline number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) will continue to operate after July 16 and will send calls to 988 indefinitely. Veterans, service members and their families can also still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the current phone number 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, or by chat or text to 838255.
More information about 988 is available at www.samhsa.gov/988 and https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/faqs.
