Should the National Suicide Prevention Lifelife’s 1-800 Number be Shortened to a Three-Digit Code Like 911? (H.R. 2345)

What is H.R. 2345?

(Updated October 29, 2019)

This bill was enacted on August 14, 2018

This bill would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) within the Department of Health and Human Services and consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: 1) examine the feasibility of designating a three-digit dialing code — like 911 — for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system and 2) assess the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s effectiveness, including how well it addresses the needs of veterans.

Both VA and SAMHSA would be required to complete a separate study and analysis to be used by the FCC to develop a comprehensive study and report incorporating information from both studies. The FCC would then be required to provide additional analysis and recommendations on the logistics and costs to develop a three-digit dialing code if the other agencies recommended that a dialing code be implemented.

The FCC would have to submit its findings, including a recommended dialing code, a cost-benefit analysis comparing the three-digit code to the current lifeline number, and cost estimates, to Congress.

Argument in favor

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is an important and effective resource for preventing suicide, and it should be made as accessible as possible. This includes making sure that its number is as easy to remember as possible.

Argument opposed

Based on the two million people who called last year, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s current 1-800 number works for people who want to reach it. Additionally, changing the number after years of publicizing it could create confusion.

Impact

Veterans; Individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts; individuals struggling with mental health issues; National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; Federal Communications Commission; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration; and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Cost of H.R. 2345

The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2019-2023 period to pay for the agencies to coordinate and develop the analyses and reports required under the bill.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) introduced this bill to improve the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by making its number shorter and easier to remember:

“Each year, almost 35,000 Americans tragically take their own life. In addition, one person attempts to commit suicide every 38 seconds. This is devastating to families and communities. The resources we currently have in place for suicide prevention and other mental health crises are simply too difficult to find during a time of need.”

There are 115 cosponsors of this bill including 62 Republicans and 53 Democrats. A companion bill in the Senate, S. 1015, was passed on November 6, 2017.

This bill is supported by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Liaison Group, Utah Department of Human Services, Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, and the University of Utah’s University Neuropsychiatric Institute.

Of Note: The suicide rate in the United States is currently at a 30-year high. Today, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the country, and attention to the issue is high due to recent high-profile celebrity suicides and rapper Logic’s hit “1-800-273-8255,” titled after the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s phone number.

Some argue that the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), can be cumbersome to remember.

John Madigan, vice president of public policy at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, believes that a streamlined number would be a big improvement in access for the crisis line:

“Three digits, if you are in crisis, would help. Everyone, even 1- and 2-year-olds, know to call 911. It’s high time we make it as easy as possible to get help.”

Access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is an important de-escalation tool for individuals in mental health crises. Multiple studies have shown that telephone crisis support dramatically reduces the risk of suicide, creating a 76% de-escalation in the risk of suicide.

Annual use of the National Suicide Prevention Line is significant: Two million people called the crisis line in 2017, up from 1.5 million in 2016. In January, calls were up 60% over January 2017. After the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, calls to the Lifeline jumped 25% — proving how important a resource the Lifeline is, and how critical access to it can be for individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) Press Release
  
• CBO Cost Estimate
  
• Mental Health Liaison Group Letter (In Favor)