988: A new phone number for people to call during a mental health crisis
Starting July 16, people across the country, including Colorado, will be encouraged to call a different three-digit number for mental health emergencies — 988.
The idea is to get people to call or text 988
instead of the police
when they are experiencing emotional distress.
The article from Rocky Mountain PBS states that "the suicide hotline [1-844-493-8255] has always been a suicide prevention resource. 988 is intended to be a crisis support for any source of crisis that comes in, and it’s really embracing self-defined crisis.” Read the article
Resources:
For an immediate mental health crisis, please call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255.
Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
