NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, reminds us, “One call can save a life. But when a person in a mental health crisis has to find a local phone number or a ten-digit Lifeline number, precious minutes—and even the resolve to get help—can be lost.”
That’s why NAMI and others are advocating for an easy-to-access 3-digit emergency number (9-8-8) to help people in a mental health crisis. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
On May 13, 2020, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S. 2661, The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, to establish 9-8-8 as a nationwide hotline for suicide prevention and mental health crises—making it easier for people in crisis to receive immediate and appropriate mental health support. Now, the U.S. House of Representatives needs to pass this important measure. Click here to support this effort.
Although 9-8-8 is not currently available [UPDATE: 988 became available on July 16, 2022.], if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available now. Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.