9-8-8 to be Enacted as Number for Mental Health Crises and Suicide Prevention in July 2022

Posted on:

June 28, 2022

In July 2022, 9-8-8 will be the national number for mental health crises and suicide prevention as part of the National Suicide Designation Act of 2020. The act also enables states to enact fees that will support the need for expanded services at the local level to receive and respond to crisis calls.

“The need for 9-8-8 is urgent. Without appropriate care, people with mental illness end up on our streets, in jails and in emergency departments—and dying in tragic encounters with law enforcement,” said Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., National Alliance on Mental Illness CEO. “By signing this bill into law, we are making real progress toward ensuring people in crisis get help, not handcuffs. We are grateful to Congress and the FCC for their efforts in moving this legislation forward and making 9-8-8 a reality.”

A readily accessible crisis response system is an essential component of the nation’s strategy for mental health intervention and suicide prevention, as more than one in 10 adults in the U.S. had seriously considered suicide in the 30 days prior to being surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the survey, four in 10 adults experienced a behavioral health condition, like anxiety or depression.

Please note that 9-8-8 will not be operational until July 2022. If you are experiencing a crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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