There’s a new suicide and crisis hotline available across the United States. During a press conference and briefing Friday, July 15th at The Consortium in West Philadelphia, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra was on hand along with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis Mc Donough, the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Jessica Rosenworcel, Congressman Dwight Evans, Mayor Jim Kenney, Dr. Ala Stanford, HHS Regional Director, and others to outline the significance of this new national suicide hotline that only has three numbers to dial to gain access.
For veterans who call that number, they would dial 988 and then press the number one. All others who call the national suicide hotline would simply dial 988 and get connected. Dr. Ala Stanford said the new three-digit number is a response to a cry for help because the rates of suicide, mental health and anxiety and behavioral health have sky-rocketed in our country. With a collaborative approach of HHS, SAMSA, the V.A, the FCC, and cities and states, we can start to make a turn-around in the rate of suicides and other mental health crises.
**********
Thank you for reading Thera Martin’s article on scoopnewsusa.com. For more on “9-8-8 A New National Suicide and Crisis Hotline”, please subscribe to SCOOP USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital, and VIZION) are $90. (52 weeks / 1 year).
