People experiencing a mental health crisis will soon be able to dial 988 to connect to a suicide prevention hotline due to a $282 million investment from the Biden administration.
The short new code will replace the current 10-digit number for easier access during a crisis to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The code is set to launch in July 2022.
About $177 million will build up the existing Lifeline network and allow people needing support to chat or text in addition to calling the line. Another $105 million will bolster staffing at crisis call centers.
The pandemic has worsened ...