New national suicide hotline 1-800-273-TALK

Posted by TofuEmmy on May 9, 2005, at 18:18:12

For those who have called 1-800-SUICIDE in the past, or might in the future....I found this really interesting.

There is a NEW federally sponsored number to call for suicide crisis - 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

"If you need help for yourself, a friend, or family member, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) right away.

Call for yourself.
Call for someone you care about.
Call to talk.
Call to get help.
Call to save a life.
We can help:

The hotline is staffed by trained counselors,
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
We have information about support services that can help you.

TTY Users - If you are a TTY user, please use our TTY number: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) "

Here is a link to info on the new number:

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/default.aspx

I also found this FAQ which explains the change, almost. I'm surprised that I haven't heard about this elsewhere. The FAQ does not explain what happens to callers of the old number.

"Q: Is the Lifeline related to other suicide prevention services, such as 1-800-SUICIDE?
A: 1-800-SUICIDE was a Federal grant program funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the standard 3-year period. At the end of that period, the grant to fund the hotline was bid on and won by a new organization. Anticipating that 1-800-SUICIDE would not be available as the number for the national suicide prevention hotline network, SAMHSA developed a new name (the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) and number (1-800-273-TALK) that would be available to the national network. Rights to this name and number are controlled by SAMHSA on behalf of the American people. "

I called the new number just to be sure it's working, and was connected appropriately to a lovely woman. She did not know about the change, and thought she was answering a call to 800 SUICIDE. Hmm.

If I find out anything more, I'll post it.

Emmy

P.S. SAMHSA is part of the US Dept of Health and Human Services called the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. That's a mouthful.

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