Trained to Save

Beginning July 16, 2022, people who may be struggling with mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, will be able to dial 988 for help.  Currently they must dial a 10-digit number – 800-273-8255.

As this NBC Nightly News video of June 6, 2022 shows, some states and communities currently are more prepared than others in providing sufficient funding and resources for this national effort designed to help change and save lives.

When people call, text, or chat the national crisis lifeline number of 988, they will be connected to trained counselors who are part of a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network.  These trained counselors will listen to the callers, try to understand how their problems are affecting them, provide whatever support is necessary, and then connect them to local state and community mental health resources when appropriate and necessary.

As NBC News Reporter Kate Snow notes in this video (link below), this helping process, to be effective, requires that everyone in a position to help be on board with this helping process.