‘988’ is the New National Mental Health Hotline for the U.S.
The United States has a new three-digit number for mental health emergencies — 988. The new number goes live on Saturday, July 16, 2022, replacing the 1-800-273-8255 number first issued in 2005.By changing the hotline to a three-digit number — along the lines of 911 — Vibrant Emotional Health, the New York-based nonprofit that administers the Lifeline number, is hopeful more people in need will use the service. Former President Trump signed the new number into law in 2020 with the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020. (The former 11-digit number will remain operational for those who choose to use it.)“It’s a new number, but it’s not a new service,” said Doctor John Draper, executive director of Lifeline.