A new bipartisan bill signed into law on Saturday, Oct. 17 will make 9-8-8 the universal telephone number to contact the national suicide prevention hotline.
President Donald Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act into law, which will put the 9-8-8 number into effect in 2022. The current number to contact the national suicide hotline prevention account is 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).
The bill, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives as well as being rubber-stamped by the U.S. Senate in May and approved by the Federal Communications Commission, will allow states to collect fees to help crisis centers with increased call volumes.
States will also be able to provide specialized services to vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ youth, minorities and veterans, through the crisis health line.
READ MORE: Legislature Highlights National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
