FCC to Adopt 988 as New Number for Suicide Prevention Hotline

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to adopt 988 as the new number to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.

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The new number will be available for use starting July 16, but until then the current number, 1-800-273-8255, will still be in use.

The change follows President Donald signing of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 in December 2020, which established the new number and allowed states to pass a fee on calls to pay for it, similar to the charge for 911.

However, while Wyoming does impose a 25 to a 75-cent surcharge on calls, based on legislation passed in 2015, it has not passed or considered any law adding a fee for the new 988 number.

Across the country, while some states have started to consider adding the fee, 27 states have not considered any type of legislation related to the new 988 number.

A Stunning Look At Wyoming Life Through The Eyes Of Photographer Chris Dickinson

Chris Dickinson is a premier western photographer based out of Utah who can often be found propped on his elbows in the mud, boots covered in manure, facing a rearing horse, all for the sake of the perfect shot. He's a man who does whatever it takes to achieve greatness. Below is a gallery of his pictures taken in Wyoming.

Source: FCC to Adopt 988 as New Suicide Prevention Hotline Number

Filed Under: Federal Communications Commission, suicide hotline

Categories: Wyoming News