New 988 Life-Line Begins Nationwide This Weekend

July 12, 2022

News Release

BUCKHANNON, WV - When you find yourself needing immediate help, the numbers that may come to your mind are 9-1-1. But a new three-digit number will be introduced nationwide Saturday to help you if you ever find yourself in a mental health crisis.

It comes as calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from all three states in our region have continued to increase each year. Mental health experts say the new three digit number, 9-8-8, could very easily save countless lives.

The 9-8-8 number will give people a faster way of getting in touch of someone to talk to in the midst of a mental health crisis.

Whether you’d rather talk to or text with someone, 9-8-8 will work either way, and you’ll be connected with a crisis counselor.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline says emergency medical services are dispatched for only 2 percent of calls to the lifeline, reducing the burden on law enforcement and emergency medical resources so they can better respond to other public safety needs.