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9-8-8: The nation’s new suicide prevention number


The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently proposed an attempt at creating a new suicide prevention number, quite similar to 911.

1-800-273-TALK leads callers to a network of counselors through calls or chats to provide aid.

The intent behind changing the number was to create a faster response system. National Public Radio (NPR) stated from an FFC report that the number will “make it easier for Americans in crisis to access potentially life-saving resources.”

The FCC was asked to collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Department of Veterans Affairs had the goal of creating “a simple, easy-to-remember, 3-digit dialing code” for the hotline.

The new code

“[The 3-digit code is] a way to increase the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts, ease access to crisis services, and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health conditions,” according to the FCC.

The new number is not yet in effect with the newly approved plan. The given approval is just the first step in getting the code into use.

“[The grace period given is 18 months and is] opening a period of public comment on the proposal before the commission reaches the stage of finalizing the rules,” according to the FCC.

Saving lives

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai shared suicide statistics, showing that suicide is one of the most common causes of death.

It was noted that “suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 24, who saw a stark 56 percent rise in suicide rates from 2007 to 2017,” and “overall, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.”.

Within the last year however, Lifeline counselors have answered millions of calls and thousands of chats to help those in need. Callers noted feeling more at ease after speaking to a Lifeline counselor.

“Approval has been passed on to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which sent it along to the wider chamber for further consideration,” according to an NPR statement.

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