A three-digit national hotline for suicide prevention is one step closer to being ready. The FCC recommends 988 be used, and has forwarded that recommendation to Congress.
It would be like 911 for someone in crisis.
The bill was sponsored by Utah Representative Chris Stewart.
“Utahns are facing the tragic effects of suicide at some of the highest rates in the nation,” Stewart said. “Today’s announcement by the FCC is another important step to provide critical resources to address mental health and suicide in our state and country. This will save lives.”
In June 2018, Stewart spoke on the House floor saying creating a hotline dialing code was “an important step towards potentially averting tragedy.”
Right now the national number is 1-800-273-TALK. It is open 24 hours a day. Advocates say when it is ready, 988 would be much easier to remember.
It was also a priority of Senator Orrin Hatch before he retired.
Advocates urge anyone who is struggling or anyone with a loved one who may be at risk of suicide to use the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at any time, by calling 1-800-273-Talk.
Read more of KSL Newsradio’s coverage of “Healing Utah’s Teenagers” here.
KSL’s combined coverage “Reasons to Hope” is found here.
And resources for help around Utah are here.