FCC Approves 988 as Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Crisis Number:
Yesterday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved [(pdf)] 988 as a nationwide, three-digit phone number that people in crisis can call to speak with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. All phone service providers are required to direct all 988 calls to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) by July 16, 2022. This includes all telecommunications carriers and interconnected and one-way Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will remain operational during and after the two-year transition to 988.
During the transition to 988, Americans who need help should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK) and through online chats. Veterans and service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing, chatting online at http://www.veteranscrisisline.net, or texting 838255. A transcript of the vote is posted here.
Activation of new 988 number will take a while. In the meantime, try calling "911" or:
Active and former US service members can:
If nothing else, talk to somebody. It's really important to remember that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary situation. Help is available; ask for it and don't give up.
NOTE: The above are US-centric. For those who are aware of resources in other countries, please mention them in the comments.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday July 23 2020, @01:34AM (1 child)
Ditch the toaster, and get yourself a nice Lincoln welder. Either a 480V model, or one of those diesel jobs. A welder that can weld half inch steel plate will do the job nicely, and quickly. And, I'd forget the bathtub. A ten foot grounding rod driven into the ground, and a nice heavy ground wire wrapped around your body works better.
(Score: 3, Touché) by DannyB on Thursday July 23 2020, @02:52PM
"Hello, this is Burns Electric Utility of Springfield."
"Hi, I'm trying to commit suicide, but am unable to do so."
"You should call 988 for assistance with suicide. Why are you calling us?"
"Because the problem is that your electricity is on the blink again."
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.