The newly designated 9-8-8, three-digit number, started routing individuals to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline over the weekend.
The 988 line is confidential and free for all. The Lifeline number that has been active for several years, 1-800-273-8255, will continue to function with both numbers will connect individuals to the same services.
An interview from KRZK’s “Ozarks Now” with Suicide Prevention Analyst Tammy Kling on the importance of this new service can be heard below:
(A press release from Missouri Governor Mike Parson's office on the 988 Line Start-up was the source of some information for this story)