New Mental Health Hotline Strives to Make Care More Accessible Nationwide
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Tribune Review: A new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has launched nationwide, with the intent to strengthen and transform crisis care in America, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials.
The 988 system will build on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is an existing network of over 200 crisis centers nationwide staffed by counselors who answer millions of calls each year — about 2.4 million in 2020. Calls to the old lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, will go through even with 988 in place.
“If we can get 988 to work like 911 … lives will be saved,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Friday.
