New 988 Crisis Hotline

There is a new 9-8-8 Hotline, it launched in July of this year. The new number takes the place of the previous 'National Suicide Prevention Lifeline'. 9-8-8 has been created as an opportunity to do a little triage before sending the police to the scene. It is designed as a starting point for mental health response. This can be done virtually or in person, which will allow for the mental health personnel an opportunity to de-escalate the situation in an effort to keep it from becoming a tragedy.