Soon there will be a simple number to remember when you’re in need of a listening ear. It’s not ready yet, but 988 will be the new number you can call to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The change isn’t happening until this summer.
Preparations are already underway at Contact Community Services in Syracuse. They are one of many places taking calls 24/7 from people in crisis. The organization is already recruiting and hiring more people to prepare for the shift to the 988 number. They answer more than 120,000 calls each year.
When someone calls the national suicide prevention hotline, someone is there to listen, without providing solutions or judgement. A model, they say, is more effective than you might think.
“Nonjudgmentally allow the person who is struggling to have a space, a safe space, to tell their story. We’re not problem-solvers. We are good listeners and we want people to feel that there’s a space for them to be able to share,” said Cheryl Giarrusso, division director for crisis services at Contact Community Services.
Also in preparation for the new 988 number, 10-digit dialing began in October, making it necessary to add the area code to any phone call. Calling and texting 988 will launch on July 16. Before then, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available at 1-800-273-8255.
