(Trigger Warning: Suicide) NPR: New Law Creates 988 Hotline for Mental Health Emergencies

"President Trump has signed into law a bipartisan bill to create a three-digit number for mental health emergencies. The Federal Communications Commission had already picked 988 as the number for this hotline and aims to have it up and running by July 2022. The new law paves the way to make that a reality.

The existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 10-digit number - 1-800-273-TALK - and it has seen a rise in call volume in recent years.

Still, the number isn't easy to remember or dial in time of crisis, say Gebbia.

A three-digit number makes it a lot easier. "When there are other emergencies, we know 911," he says. "It's ingrained in our heads - we don't have to think about it."

The existing lifeline is a network of about 170 local crisis centers. When someone calls the national number, they're routed to the local crisis center that's closest to them.

But many crisis centers "are struggling to stay afloat," says Gebbia. They get very little federal funding and have to raise money on their own. Some have even closed in recent years.

If a crisis center is unable to respond to all callers at any time, calls are diverted to backup centers. There can be dropped calls along the way or long wait times before callers can speak to a trained counselor.

"It's very hard for someone when they're struggling to make that call," says Gebbia. "And to be on hold, not have the call go through, not have the call answered in a timely way, can be devastating. It can be a matter of life and death."

Call volumes to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have increased during the coronavirus pandemic, peaking at an increase of 6% in July, compared with the same period a year ago, according to Vibrant Emotional Health.

And studies show that the need for mental health care is growing, says Conaboy. The new law, she says, will help meet that growing need.

"So that two years down the road, we're equipped as a nation to provide those emergency services and to make it as easy as possible for someone in that moment of crisis to reach out," she says."

*I am thrilled that our government has finally funded something like 988! Emergency mental health services have needed change and I think this is a great way to start! Having mental health personnel on hold will be able to help so many people once this number is released in July. Also having a shorter number than the current crisis number will alleviate stress when people are in crisis and need to call. This is a great step in mental health care!*

Do you feel that changing the current crisis number to 988 will help improve mental health emergencies?

#MentalHealthCare #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth

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