A new phone number will soon simplify calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

    By
    Tom Flanigan
    -
    551
    A screen shot of a computer

    Big change is coming to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. What had been a 10-digit number will soon be an easy to remember 3-digit number, “988.”

    2-1-1 Big Bend President and CEO Tori Greer said July 16th will be an important day.

    “That is the date that the big telecommunications providers are required to make that switch to route ‘988’ calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.”

    Greer said there’ll be no real impact on those calling the local facility.

    “It’s not changing the services that we provide at the 2-1-1 center.”

    But she explained it will certainly simplify getting help outside of the regional center’s footprint, as well as expanding critical call capacity.