FCC creates new 911-style number for suicide prevention

By Nihal Krishan

Published November 18, 2021 5:23pm ET

Add Washington Examiner on Google

FCC creates new 911-style number for suicide prevention — Officials in Illinois, which itself has seen a 200 percent increase in suicide prevention calls, have gone as far as to declare a public health crisis, CNN reported. (iStock photo) | ljubaphoto

The Federal Communications Commission established a new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on Thursday that vulnerable youth, veterans, and those with disabilities or mental health issues can access by texting or calling 988, similar to those who call 911 for emergency purposes.

The commission voted on a bipartisan basis to create the new Lifeline program, which will create a national network providing free, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Digital subscriber? Click here to login/register your account.

Full midterm coverage.Deeper analysis.

Get unlimited access to Washington Examiner's reporting, expert analysis, and coverage of the midterm elections.

Get Unlimited Access

Cancel anytime.

Tag:

Federal Communications Commission Mental Health Suicide Veterans Veterans Affairs