New 988 Suicide Hotline Launches Amid Mental Health Emergency, Pandemic, Gun Violence, Opioid Crisis

A new 988 suicide and crisis hotline launched Saturday that people can call, text or chat. The three-digit shortcut phases out the 1-800-273-TALK number. Until now, the 988 lifeline was only available in some parts of the United States. We speak with Congressmember Jamie Raskin, who helped introduce legislation that provides funding for states to implement the rollout. His son Tommy tragically died by suicide at the age of 25 in December 2020 after a battle with depression. We're living in a very tough time ... with COVID-19, with the opioid crisis, with gun violence, with the civil division and polarization," notes Rep. Raskin. These things have made it very rough on young people. The surgeon general has declared a national mental health emergency."