988 – News Stories About 988 - Page 1

2 Years In, Here's How the 988 Hotline Is Doing

2 Years In,
Plenty of People
Don't Know About 988

2 Years In, Plenty of People Don't Know About 988

Still, 10M calls, texts, and chats to the crisis hotline have been answered

(Newser) - On July 16, 2022, 988 became the new suicide prevention hotline number in the US, and more than 10 million calls, texts, and chat messages have been answered since, according to stats released Tuesday. The New York Times calls it "a rare instance of bipartisanship in federal health policy"...

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Had Just Celebrated 9th Wedding Anniversary

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss
Did Instagram Dance
Days Before Suicide

Dec 15, 2022 1:43 AM CST

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Did Instagram Dance Days Before Suicide

Medical examiner's office finds no foul play in his death, closes case

(Newser) - On Sunday, just one day before checking in to the motel where he would take his own life , Stephen "tWitch" Boss was dancing in his California home. In the last Instagram post from his wife, Allison Holker, before Boss was found dead Tuesday, the apparently happy couple can be...

Call 988 for Suicide Prevention, Starting Saturday

After a Simple Switch,
Suicide Hotline Sees
a Huge Increase

UPDATED

Sep 19, 2022 2:40 AM CDT

After a Simple Switch, Suicide Hotline Sees a Huge Increase

Last month, contacts with the hotline were up 45% compared to year prior

(Newser) - Update: Since July 16 when 988 became the new suicide prevention hotline number in the US, the amount of people reaching out to it has increased and wait times have decreased, according to a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services released last week. In August of this...

988 National Mental Health Hotline Goes Live in July

Mental Health Equivalent
of 911 Goes Live in July

Jun 14, 2022 8:32 PM CDT

Mental Health Equivalent of 911 Goes Live in July

988 will connnect people to crisis counselors

(Newser) - From July 16, Americans experiencing mental health crises will only have to remember a three-digit number to get help: 988. Bipartisan legislation signed by then-President Donald Trump in 2020 established the equivalent of 911 for mental health emergencies. People who call, text, or contact the number online will be connected...

America Is Getting a Better Suicide Hotline—Hopefully

Will America Be Ready to
Answer All the 988 Calls?

Mar 19, 2022 7:45 AM CDT

Will America Be Ready to Answer All the 988 Calls?

With 988, advocates see opportunity to change mental health care, but old problems persist

(Newser) - The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is undergoing a major overhaul. Starting in July, Americans in need of crisis counseling won't have to dial 1-800-273-8255—they'll instead be able to use the much simpler 988. It's the result of legislation signed by Trump in 2020, and in December,...