National Suicide/Mental Health: Dial 988

[rootabaga]

I’m not sure if this is worthy of a sticky, but I am sure it’s a crisis. And I’m glad the FCC has acted.

The FCC has adopted 988 as a new three-digit number nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.

So still 911 for other emergencies, but 988 for critical issues surrounding mental health and/or suicide.

Please be well and stay healthy, everyone, and remember that suicide is the worst permanent answer to a problem.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Thank you for posting this, @rootabaga. It most definitely is a crisis, and getting this new number out there and known is very important, because no one knows when they may need it. We all need to commit it to memory, to know it by rote, teach it to our children, just like 911 for other emergencies.

Just to drive home what a crisis it is, both my brother and a dear friend killed themselves. They were both veterans, both had depression and substance abuse problems, and both gave up. I don't know whether this number could've helped versus the things that were tried, but I still wish it had existed then.