ID HCR011

President Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 on October 17, 2020, which designated 988 as the universal telephone number for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system.

Idaho's suicide rate as of 2019 is 41% higher than the national rate, and Idaho currently has a shortage of mental health providers and primary care providers.

The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline will transition from the ten-digit number (800) 273-TALK to the three-digit number 988, which will go live in July 2022 and function as the equivalent of 911 for suicide and mental health crises.

Crisis hotline support helps de-escalate emergencies and keeps people safe, thereby reducing unnecessary emergency department visits and reducing the need to dispatch police, emergency medical services, or fire department services.

The Idaho Legislature recognizes 988 as the universal mental health and suicide prevention crisis phone number, effective July 2022, to improve access to mental health support for all Idahoans, especially those in rural communities.