News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
By 2022, people struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts can dial 9-8-8 for immediate assistance.
The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to designate this number to provide faster access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Upper Cumberland Suicide Prevention Regional Director Michael Anderson said this is a massive win.
“Having an easily understandable number that people can call in an emergency, you know the success of 9-1-1 is everywhere and people know that,” Anderson said. “It’s ingrained in our emergency response as just regular citizens. Having that 9-8-8 as an emergency go to for mental health crisis is a huge victory for us.”
Anderson said more Tennesseans die annually by suicide than car and motorcycle crashes combined.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2018, at least 48,344 people in the U.S. died by suicide, and there were an estimated 1.4 million suicide attempts, according to AFSP. Roughly half of all deaths by suicide were committed with a firearm.
“I think it speaks volumes to what an important topic it is that we have to respond at a national legislative level to implement that so that we do have that resource available, Anderson said.
All phone service providers have to direct all calls to the Lifeline by July 16, 2022, according to the FCC. All telecommunications carriers and interconnected and one-way Voice over Internet Protocol service providers are required to take part in the initiative.
Anyone needing immediate help can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK, or Tennessee Suicide Prevention at 855-CRISIS-1.
