988 Hotline NPRM 5-0 Approval Gets Plaudits
Telecom and mental health interests cheered FCC 5-0 approval Thursday of an NPRM designating 988 for a national three-digit suicide prevention and mental health hotline number. The final version wasn't released.
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Colleen Creighton, executive director-American Association of Suicidology, told us it's in discussions with telecom and wireless interests on technical questions that might arise, such as challenges meeting the 18-month implementation deadline. That's "so we're all on the same page." She said those conversations were on such issues as a staggered implementation approach, and spotting other potential hurdles. The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline system -- which uses 800-273-8255 -- "works but it's about at its breaking point" since funding hasn't kept up with call volume growth, she said.
A unified, three-digit number "will make it easier for people who are in crisis to get connected to support in real-time," emailed Colleen Carr, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention director. Adequate support of crisis centers also is needed, she said. The Trevor Project said it's "critically important that this proposal is implemented as swiftly as possible and that all Lifeline counselors are provided with LGBTQ cultural competency training to best serve LGBTQ youth in crisis.”
The suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline “is an idea whose time has come,” USTelecom said, adding it “stands ready to work across government, healthcare and community organizations everywhere on the various technical and network updates required to make this life-saving platform a reality.” Verizon said it "will work with the FCC to resolve technical challenges and quickly bring this additional resource online for people in need. This is an effort that truly has the ability to save lives." AT&T also said it supported the agency action.
Wednesday's Senate Commerce Committee approval of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S-2661) (see 1912110038), along with the FCC action, means "this easy-to-remember mental health crisis hotline is moving closer to reality," tweeted Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, also tweeted support of the vote, saying suicide “has tragically impacted too many families."
Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mike O'Rielly both said they had lost family members to suicide. O'Rielly said in his case, a hotline wouldn't have made a difference, but the three-digit number is for people who can be reached. “I hope it really does save lies,” he said. Rosenworcel said she got a question about texting added to the draft. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said given worsening suicide statistics for particularly vulnerable populations -- such as sizable growth in self-reported suicide attempts for black adolescents -- more work is needed to close the digital divide to enable telehealth programs like remote health and mental health consultations.
Easier Lifeline access will mean more demand, requiring more resources, Chairman Ajit Pai said. He said stakeholders should contact Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs about improving Lifeline's effectiveness. He said that could include specialized hotline services to address the needs of particular at-risk populations such as veterans and LGBTQ youth.