New 9-1-1 version for Mental Crisis & Suicide Prevention Released and it Needs to be Added or Memorized as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline makes it Easier to Reach for Help!
- Beginning on July 16th, a new emergency line for one’s own mental state goes live. The 3-digit phone number is 9-8-8. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has held a long 10-digit phone number for many years (1-800-273-8255) and it is going to keep that phone number but add 988 as well.
- When this phone number is dialed, there is free and confidential help on the other side from a trained counselor. This phone number is to help those in a mental health crisis for themselves or a loved one. They are trained professionals there for people in distress, to prevent suicide and provide crisis resources.
- The phone number will be active 24 hours per day, 7 days a week for folks living in the United States of America. By using this, hopefully it will assist in meeting the needs of the growing mental health crises Americans are facing and help end the stigma toward mental healthcare.
- There are numerous resources on their website as well covering a variety of topics from black mental health, maternal mental health, veterans, loss survivors, LGBTQ+, disaster survivors, attempt survivors, deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing loss, youth, individuals with neurodivergence and native Americans and Alaskan natives in addition to a link for the whole website to be read and accessed in Spanish.
Below is the press release from Vibrant Emotional Health posted January 25, 2021 to learn more about the program.
“Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline), announced today grants to 49 states and U.S. territories through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 988 State Planning Grant Initiative. The purpose of these grants is to provide states and territories with resources to plan for the implementation of 988, the future three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
In July 2022, 988 will become the national three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, replacing the current phone number of 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Americans
needing support should continue to call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) until then.
“Access to mental health and crisis support has never been more critical for Americans,” said Kimberly Williams, President and CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health. “Vibrant is committed to
providing the states and U.S. territories with some of the resources they’ll need to plan for the implementation of 988 and to support their local crisis centers. By working together, we will
increase access to care, reduce the stigma around mental health and, ultimately, save lives.”
Vibrant’s grants enable states to develop strategic plans for the projected infrastructure needs, volume growth, and access to the Lifeline’s new 988 number. Awardees will use the funding to
develop clear roadmaps for how to address coordination, capacity, funding, and communications surrounding the launch of 988.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is made up of over 180 local crisis centers. Each public health or mental health agency will collaborate with its Lifeline-network crisis centers to create a
988 implementation plan and continue to support the Lifeline’s operational, clinical, and performance standards that allow access to care.
“The implementation of 988 is an acknowledgement of the vital role of crisis services in this country,” says Dr. John Draper, Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Executive Vice President of National Networks for Vibrant Emotional Health. “Vibrant and the Lifeline look forward to working with states and crisis centers to strengthen the national mental health safety net that the Lifeline provides to people in distress every day.”
Vibrant believes the new 988 number, once implemented, will ensure the Lifeline will continue to be America’s mental health safety net by providing emotional support for people in distress,
reducing suicides and mental health crises, and providing a pathway to well-being for all. About the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a leader in suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. The National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.
The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 180 local crisis centers, uniting local resources with national best practices. Since its inception in 2005, the Lifeline has engaged in
innovative public messaging, development of best practices in mental health, creative partnerships, and more to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention for all.
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
About Vibrant Emotional Health
Vibrant Emotional Health is a non-profit organization that helps individuals and families achieve emotional wellbeing. For over 50 years, our groundbreaking solutions have delivered highquality services and support, when, where and how people need it. We offer confidential emotional support through our state-of-the-art contact center and crisis hotline services that use
leading edge telephone, text and web-based technologies and include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, NFL Life Line and NYC Well. Through our community wellness programs individuals and families obtain supports and skills they need to thrive. Our advocacy and education initiatives promote mental wellbeing as a social responsibility. Each year we help more than 2.5 million people live healthier and more vibrant lives. We’re advancing access, dignity and respect for all and revolutionizing the system for good. Visit vibrant.org. And follow Vibrant on Facebook and Instagram. ”
Mental Crisis & Suicide Prevention
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