| 9-8-8 Signed into Law
The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was signed into law on Saturday, October 17, 2020. This legislation will create a new 9-8-8 dialing code for suicide prevention, helping Americans who are seeking services for mental health emergencies.
Implementation of 9-8-8 now moves to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which recently set a deadline of July 2022 for the full, national implementation of the hotline. |
The success of 9-8-8 comes at a critical time for behavioral health services, as COVID-19 has contributed to increased isolation and unemployment, among other difficulties.