New ‘988’ mental health crisis hotline launches Saturday

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

People who are in a mental health crisis will be able to call or text 988 starting Saturday. It will connect people with mental health professionals.

There are over 200 call centers in the network. callers are directed to a national backup center if local centers are busy.

The new number is called the "911" for suicide prevention. One goal is to reduce the number of mental health crisis calls that end up in the emergency room, which can be dangerous for the person in crisis.

Congress directed the FCC to work with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a code for mental health crises. The number will be finalized in 2020 and will be expanded to texting in fall 2021.

The launch is being downplayed over concerns that there aren't enough resources to meet the demand. Most calls were routed to the national center. The local response tends to be better when it comes to callers. Matthew Wintersteen is an associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University working with the Pennsylvania program.

Many states don't have consistent funding for their crisis hotline programs. When the number goes to the 988 hotline, officials expect a lot of calls.

The states have to build the support necessary for the program because it is administered by state programs. Saturday's launch is just the beginning of a transition period.

988 will be there if you are willing to use it. 988 won't put you on hold. He said you will get assistance. The goal is that. It takes time.