In one month, on July 16th, a new hotline for mental health will launch nationwide! Congress mandated the launch of the 988 emergency number in 2020. However, financial funding was left in the hands of each individual state which delayed its establishment. 
Since 2008, suicide has ranked as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.(1) The 988 hotline is designed to assist in suicide prevention and other mental health emergencies. It will provide 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works.