Right now, when you call 911 with a mental illness crisis, they answer, “911 what is your emergency?” and then after you explain that it is suicide or panic attack emergency, they then transfer your call to Crisis Response Center (CRC).
Why not have a “911″ for mental health?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) responded to the growing suicide epidemic across the U.S. by requiring all phone service providers to route calls made to “988″ to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline crisis center by July 16, 2022. The current traditional-length number, (TALK), will then be nationally shortened to the three-digit number “988!”
In Preparation the new program has some “give and take” in some areas the 988 conflicted with similar Area Codes. Because of this it will become necessary for us to transition to 10-digit dialing nation wide.
We are already familiar with 7-digit dialing for local calls and 10-digit dialing for long distance calls. 7-digit dialing will work until October 24th of this year, after that you will get a recording “you must first dial the area code when dialing this number.” We have from April until the 24th of October to add the 520 area code to our cell phone address lists, FAX machines, or another machines that dial locally but do not yet have the 520 area code.
Right now you can still dial 622-6000 or and get Tucson CRC.
After the 24th of October 2021, you must dial to get CRC. Otherwise your call will be delayed with the message saying “you must first dial the area code before calling this number.”
Officially on the 16th of July 2022, dial 988 for a suicidal or mental health emergency, for the entire USA. As the areas become operational, they can be used. We have tested using 988 in the Tucson area and it works. This can be useful should you dial 911 and get a busy signal!
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