By the GWAAR Legal Services Team
Submitted by Bethany Schneider, ADRC Elder Benefit Specialist
Starting July 16, with the rollout of a new three-digit dialing code (988), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has been rebranded as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The three-digit calling code is intended to make it easier for people experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress to contact the Lifeline in order to speak with a trained crisis counselor. The Lifeline connects callers to the closest available local crisis center based on the caller’s area code. The Lifeline offers the opportunity to connect with a sub-network of Spanish language crisis counselors and, for service members, a connection to the Veteran Crisis Line. The Lifeline also offers crisis counseling services through online chat at 988lifeline.org and by text using the service’s original telephone number of 1-800-273-8255. The original number will continue to work as an alternative to 988 for contacting the Lifeline by telephone.
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