#Middlebury #Veterans
We all know to call 911 when there’s an emergency – car crash, burglary, need of an ambulance – but we’ll soon be getting an additional number. Starting in the summer of 2022, we’ll also have 988 as a direct line for suicide prevention and mental health crises.
It’s been in the works since last summer, giving telephone companies time to set things up. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Department of Veteran Affairs and the North American Numbering Council all have been working together, and this summer the FCC adopted rules to designate this number – 988.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will still be working at 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). As different parts of the country come online, those calling the new number will be transferred over to the crisis line, but the old number will continue to work.
Veterans who call either number should press 1 after dialing to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. They also can chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net or text 838255. There’s also support for the deaf or hard of hearing at TTY 1-800-799-4889.
When you read the nationwide stats, you know how important the crisis lines are. Two years ago, the hotline answered over 2 million calls, averaging over 180,000 calls per month. Chats are used as well, averaging 8,500 per month.
The Veterans Crisis Line has a network of 400 suicide prevention coordinators at VA facilities around the country. After a completed call to the crisis line, within a day, one of those coordinators will hook up with the caller as follow-up.
The support for veterans in crisis is free. The crisis line serves all veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve, as well as family members and friends. Go online to www.veteranscrisisline.net to see the signs of crisis. Then make the call if needed.
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
You must be logged in to post a comment.