Leading Stories

National Suicide Hotline soon to become three-digit number: 988

By Eileen Weber

In two years, the U.S. will have another three-digit emergency code: 988. In a co-sponsored bill proposed last year by Massachusetts State Representative Seth Moulton and Utah State Representative Chris Stewart, that number will directly connect callers with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted to designate 988 as the national number for mental health emergencies. Until now, the access line has been the 10-digit number 1-800-273-8255. But like its emergency counterpart, 988 is far easier to remember and quicker to dial. A surcharge is slated to be connected to it as a [More]

Tags: phone, National Suicide Hotline, three-digit number, 988, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions, text
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