New 988 hotline is the 911 for mental health emergencies

Americans can now dial 9-8-8 for quick help with mental health emergencies — the first hotline of its kind in the country.

published last month found that fewer than half of state or regional public health officials were confident about being ready for 988, which is expected to generate an influx of calls.

“If we can get 988 to work like 911 … lives will be saved,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. A desperate call to a Utah state senator in 2013 helped spark the idea of a three-digit mental health crisis line. Thatcher found that many of Utah’s in-state crisis lines went straight to police dispatchers or voicemail. He wondered why there was no 911 service for mental health, and the idea got national attention after he mentioned it to longtime Sen. Orrin Hatch.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

AP /  🏆 728. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

New 988 hotline is the 911 for mental health emergenciesQuick help for suicide thoughts and other mental health emergencies may soon be as easy as 9-8-8
Read more »

Suicide prevention: New 988 hotline is the 911 for mental health emergenciesQuick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies will soon be 9-8-8 which will connect callers with trained mental health counselors SuicidePrevention
Read more »

Suicide prevention: New 988 hotline is the 911 for mental health emergenciesQuick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies will soon be as easy as 9-8-8
Read more »

New '988' mental health crisis hotline launches SaturdayOfficials are expecting a spike in call volume.
Read more »

Alaska prepares to roll out new 988 suicide prevention hotline on July 16 - Alaska Public MediaStarting tomorrow, Alaskans can reach a suicide prevention hotline by calling or texting 988. It’s part of a national effort to establish one suicide hotline number across the country.
Read more »

Here’s what you need to know about 988, the new mental health crisis hotlineThe current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will still remain available by calling 1-800-273-8255, but experts say the new three-digit code will be easier to remember during mental health emergencies.
Read more »