People experiencing a mental health crisis now have a new way to reach out for help. Each state started rolling out 988 as the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number over the weekend. The hotline will provide round-the-clock confidential support from mental health professionals trained to respond to such emergencies. Experts say it could potentially help over seven and a half million people in its first year.
The full hotline number will still be operational - that number is 800-273-8255. But with the new, shortened 3-digit number, the hope is that it'll be so much easier to remember, and folks in need will be more likely to use it.