New 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Needs Visibility, Continued Support

WASHINGTON – The 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that launched this weekend is a valuable addition to the nation’s mental health infrastructure, the president of the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) said today, and needs both continued nationwide visibility as well as support at the state level to optimize its value for persons in need. HLC had strongly supported legislation to create the easily-accessible three-digit lifeline.

“Statistics tell us that for every person who commits suicide in this country – and that number is far too high – there are 316 more who seriously consider it,” said HLC president Mary R. Grealy. “It is a tremendous step in the right direction to make it easy – by knowing a simple three-digit number – for people in crisis to get assistance from trained counselors. All of us need to do our part to make sure this number is widely known.”

Ms. Grealy noted that, while the federal government has devoted $400 million to bolstering call centers in anticipation of the 9-8-8 launch, continued resources will be necessary as the lifeline number becomes more widely known and receives increased use. Legislation creating the system allows states to add a small fee to cellphone bills to support local 9-8-8 call centers and associated mental health services.

“Our nation’s mental health needs are significant. One in every five adults experiences a mental health disorder each year and less than half receive treatment,” she said. “Just as we treat the ailments of the body, we need to devote appropriate resources to our behavioral health as well.”

For Immediate Release July 18, 2022
Contact: Kelly Fernandez 202-449 3452