Washington (CNN)The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988.
The federal agency’s staff made the recommendation this week in a report to Congress, finding that using a shorter and easier to remember number “would likely make it easier for Americans in crisis to access potentially life-saving resources.”
The push for change comes as America’s suicide rates are at the highest level since World War II, with an increase of 33% from 1999 to 2017 alone, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement Thursday that he intends to move forward on the recommendation.
***NOTE: This is not active yet, To get help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For crisis support in Spanish, call 1-888-628-9454.
Article submitted by, ScottInManhattan.