New suicide prevention hotline “988” is now live

Colorado Springs, Colo. (KRDO)-- The shortened suicide prevention hotline "988" launched Saturday.

Officials with the Rocky Mountian Crisis Partners say the hotline will make it easier for people to dial and remember if they're in a crisis quickly, versus the previous number that was 10 digits long. When people call or text 988, trained crisis counselors will be able to provide assistance.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the latest numbers show that El Paso County has highest number suicide deaths in the state.

"There is an increase and demand in our country around stress around mental health, around substance use. The suicide rate continues to go up in alarming rates, and so we think that the demand and the need for this is what drove legislation to have a 3-digit number, "said Bev Marquez, the Chief Executive Officer at the Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners.

Marquez said people who call 988 with a different area code will still get the support they need from another state. However, if the person needs any resources, they will be sent back to the call center in Colorado.

The Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners said they have hired additional staff and built infrastructure to meet the demand of callers. They expect to get 200,000 more calls a year as the new hotline number gets marketed more.

To learn more about the new hotline, click here.