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Three-Digit Suicide Hotline Number on Its Way

The number would provide ease of access for all, including particularly at-risk populations such as LGBTQ youth.

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The Federal Communications Commission Thursday approved plans to go ahead with a three-digit number for a suicide prevention hotline.

The five members of the commission approved the plan unanimously, CNN reports. Now there will be a period of public comment and the commission will start the rulemaking process.

The number will be 988. "988 has an echo of the 911 number we all know as an emergency number," Chairman Ajit Pai said at the commission's meeting. "And we believe that this three-digit number dedicated for this purpose will help ease access to crisis services, it will reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health conditions, and ultimately it will save lives."

In proposing the three-digit hotline in August, Pai had mentioned the epidemic of suicide among certain vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ youth. His comment came upon the issuance of a report from the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics. The report pointed out that a three-digit number would be easier to access than longer ones, and it also recommended specialized services for LGBTQ youth, veterans, and other at-risk groups. The proposal approved Thursday includes those services.

The Trevor Project, which works to prevent suicide among LGBTQ young people, praised the commission's move. "The Trevor Project applauds the FCC for unanimously approving the proposal to adopt 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number," said Sam Brinton, head of advocacy and government affairs for the organization, said in a press release. "Shortening the Lifeline number to three digits, along with transferring calls to those who can best serve high-risk populations like LGBTQ youth -- who are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers -- will save lives. It is 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."