988: 3 Digit Suicide Hotline Number
As some of you may know, suicide continues to be on the rise. Just last year, Lifeline counselors answered over 2.2 million calls and over 100,000 online chats in response to those having suicidal thoughts. The Lineline phone number currently is 1-800-273-TALK, but that will be changing to something much shorter and easier to remember in times of a crisis.
The FCC has decided to vote in favor of establishing 9-8-8 as the new number that people can call if they are having suicidal thoughts. These calls would go directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which has 163 cruises centers.
This will most likely take place in 2021 or around 18 months. But as Mordecai Dixon, Director of Organization Development at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay said, “Anything that provides an access point is a good move.”
Rebecca & Gabe Montenegro
850-855-6349
