New Number for Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The new suicide prevention line is officially live. The national suicide prevention lifeline has a new number. It has been changed to 9-8-8.

The previous number was 1-800-273-8255

The transition went into effect earlier Saturday morning at 12:00 am.

The new calling number will allow people of all ages who are experiencing any type of crisis like mental health concerns, emotional distress suicide, to get help for themselves and anyone else who they may be concerned about a loved one from a trained crisis counselor.

Changing this number to become more accessible is hopefully the goal to help people get the help they need sooner.

"More people either need or just reaching out for help. I think a reduction in stigma over time has caused people to be a little more comfortable reaching out for help with mental health or substance use or just daily life stresses," says Carolina Crehan Neumann, Crisis Services Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Minnesota will have four lifeline centers that will connect callers to nearby or state-specific resources and services as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Besides calling, you can also text the new 9-8-8 number to get in connect with a trained counselor.