FCC Unlikely to Delay or Change Tack on Suicide Prevention Number Amid Concern
The FCC will face big pushback from the mental health community to some telecom arguments for a longer phase-in of 988 for a national three-digit suicide hotline number or for looking at 211 in its place (see 2002180021). The significant publicity about the agency’s 988 direction (see 1911190054) also complicates the matter, we were told this week. Chairman Ajit Pai's office didn't comment.
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The mental health community is strongly against any change from 988, and longer deadlines nearly as much. "We are not happy" with those telecom arguments, said American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Senior Vice President-Public Policy John Madigan. Echoed Mental Health America CEO Paul Gionfriddo: "How many people do they want to die before they invest the dollars?" Some service providers argued 988 faces wireline infrastructure problems and technical issues that 211 doesn't.
The House Communications Subcommittee has a hearing Thursday on the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (see 2002260063). HR-4194 would designate 988 the hotline code and give the FCC a one-year deadline to finish the nationwide upgrade of the legacy switches to support it (see 1908200070)
A three-digit hotline number has broad agreement and support, but the FCC's implementation timeline seems "pretty optimistic" given the task's complicated technological undertaking, said National Association of Crisis Center Directors Vice President Pat Morris. The agency might be sensitive to there being some operators that can't meet the proposed 18-month deadline due to technical reasons, with at least limited waivers, said a lawyer representing a telecom industry client in the proceeding. Public attention on 988 creates a challenge of the agency doubling back, said a telecom executive.
The FCC has technical expertise, so it wouldn't suggest deadlines and numbers that weren't feasible, said National Alliance on Mental Illness National Director-Advocacy and Public Policy Angela Kimball. Given rising suicide rates, "We can't afford to wait any longer or delay implementation," she said. There had been disagreements in the mental health community over what number to use (see 1812110033). Now, there's "incredible momentum for 988," she said, adding that 211 isn't a viable alternative because it would create huge confusion.
Gionfriddo said "nobody would begrudge" a 20- or 21-month implementation, but legacy systems could have been preparing over the past year or so for the eventuality. "The foundation has been laid" for 988, and expanded use of 211 would have to overcome significant public education obstacles, he said. Madigan said the mental health community could live with slightly longer implementation, which an industry official echoed. Sonic Telecom said it already implemented a 988 dialing shortcut for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.