Suicide Prevention Hotline Number Should Be 3 Digits, 988, Agency Says

“S.A.M.H.S.A. supports this proposal to make it easier to connect people in crisis to 24/7 support — with the understanding we would need to have the sustained resources to make this update a reality,” a spokesman for the agency said Thursday.

Federal telecommunications regulators say that they examined using existing three-digit numbers, known as N11 codes, such as 211, 511 and 611, for the suicide prevention hotline, but ruled that they were not appropriate. In New York City, for example, 311 is a nonemergency hotline for city services.

Kimberly Williams, president and chief executive officer of Vibrant Emotional Health, said in a statement: “We are gratified the F.C.C. report recognizes the need for a 3 digit number dedicated to mental health support as we believe this number will reduce suicides in the United States. That said, we are interested in understanding more as to why a more easily remembered number, such as 611, was not more thoroughly considered. We look forward to learning more about this important consideration.”

Commenting in the F.C.C. report, federal health officials said when a person “experiences severe chest pains in the company of another family member, both the patient and the family member, despite their heightened anxiety, would remember the number 911, while the concern is that many suicidal people or their family members at a similar moment of suicidal crisis might not remember 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).”

Last year, the lifeline’s counselors also responded to 102,640 online crisis chats, according to the F.C.C.

In 2017, more than 47,000 Americans died by suicide and more than 1.4 million adults attempted suicide, according to health officials.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Here’s what you can do when a loved one is severely depressed.