Sad that it is needed but this will save lives. From United Press International:
FCC approves 988 as new U.S. suicide prevention hotline number
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday agreed to move forward with plans to adopt a three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
The five-member commission voted unanimously to approve the proposal to designate 988 as the national number for the hotline, opening it up for public comment and beginning the rule-making process.
"988 has an echo of the 911 number we all know as an emergency number. And we believe that this three-digit number, dedicated for this purpose, will help ease access to crisis services," FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said. "It'll reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health conditions. And it'll ultimately save lives."
President Donald Trump signed a law last year ordering the FCC to select a number for the hotline that would be easy to remember during a crisis.
Good news - this is a problem that we are seeing more and more in today's confused society. Having a single point of contact makes help that much easier to get.
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