New 988 suicide hotline number now active

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The 10-digit national suicide prevention hotline has been changed to 988 and is now active,

Modeled after 911, the new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional. The primary goal of the new number is to make it easier for people to call for help.

When someone calls or texts 9-8-8, they will be connected to trained counselors with the existing lifeline network.