FCC designates 988 for suicide prevention hotline
The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules establishing 988 as the nationwide phone number to connect people experiencing mental health crises to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of 163 crisis centers that last year answered more than 2.2 million calls and 100,000 online chats. Under the new rules, telecommunications carriers and one-way Voice over Internet Protocol service providers must direct 988 calls to the existing hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), by July 16, 2022. The current lifeline and online chats will stay available during and after the transition.
Related News Articles
Headline
The AHA’s Bridge to Care initiative highlights how hospitals and health systems are strengthening care transitions and supporting ongoing treatment engagement…
Headline
House passes CR to fund government through Dec. 4 and budget resolution for next reconciliation bill
The House July 21 passed a continuing resolution that would fund the government through Dec. 4 by a 220-205 vote. The CR does not include extensions of key…
Headline
The AHA provided comments July 21 to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on price transparency, nursing workforce and rural…
Headline
The House Budget Committee July 16 passed a budget resolution by a 20-14 vote along party lines during a markup, paving the way for a new reconciliation bill…
Headline
The AHA July 13 commented on proposals by the Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies to revise the Uniform Grants Regulation governing…
Headline
AHA Board Chair Marc Boom, M.D., took the stage July 13 to introduce AHA award winners and a town hall discussion on navigating the 2026 political…