FCC Proposes Three-Digit National Suicide Prevention Hotline

September 8-14 is National Suicide Prevention Week. Help can be one phone call away. The FCC is proposing an easier way to call for help, similar to the way we seek emergency medical assistance. 

Recently, the federal agency's staff made the recommendation of changing the National Suicide Prevention Hotline to a three-digit number, 9-8-8.

According to the CDC, suicide rates in our country at their highest level since World War II, with an increase of 33 percent from 1999 to 2017 alone. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said he intends to push forward on the three-digit phone number recommendation. The next step, the rule-making process would be to present the recommendation for public comment for 30 days.

Until the change, the national hotline number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

This Saturday (9/7), the Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition will hold their 12th annual Lifesavers Walk. Registration will be 9-9:45 a.m. at the Shelter House at 12th and Hickman and the walk will be on the Moreland Park trail (parking in Sportscenter North lot) this year beginning at 10:00 a.m. No registration fee, but donations are accepted and appreciated.