The new national mental health emergency hotline is now available to connect Americans experiencing a crisis with licensed counselors. Before today (Saturday), callers would need to dial the long and hard-to-remember national number to access the services, but a simple three-digit code is all that is required now to call from cell phones or landlines. Matt Gordon, a mental health nurse at St. Anthony Regional Hospital, says the switch to 988 makes potentially life-saving support easily accessible at a moment’s notice, much like 911.
Gordon says the 988 system is particularly beneficial in areas like rural Iowa, where access to mental health beds is often limited.
With only around 700 inpatient psychiatric beds in the State of Iowa, it is not uncommon for somebody to be put on a waiting list. Gordon says that is where tools like 988 shine. Simply dial or text 9-8-8, and you are connected to a mental health professional, 24/7, 365.
The previous hotline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), will remain active for the foreseeable future, but officials expect 988 will quickly become the primary choice for most users. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S., with an estimated 1.2 million suicide attempts recorded in 2020. Mental experts hope making help easier to reach through the 988 system will significantly reduce these figures.
