Remember 988 the new Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 1360

Everybody knows to call 911 for an emergency like a life-threatening medical problem, a car crash, a fire or a crime in progress.  

But Tim Morris, Greater Louisville Central Labor Council executive director, says don't forget 988, the new national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The easy-to-remember three-digit number replaces an old toll-free 11-digit number. "Think of it as 911 for those contemplating suicide or suffering through a crisis," he said. "When someone calls 988, they will be directly connected to a mental health professional to help talk them through their crisis. Someone in crisis can call 988, text 988, or go to 988lifeline.org to chat with a mental health professional. Veterans, after dialing 988, can press 1 to be connected to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline."

Added Morris: "Suicide is a workers issue. Most folks reading this either have either been through a mental health crisis, perhaps have contemplated suicide, or have a friend or family member or co-worker whom has died by suicide. Suicide does not only impact the individual who died by suicide, suicide impacts those around them, too. The estimated number of impacted individuals is as low as 6 or as high as 30--some estimates have even shown more than 100 individuals are impacted after someone dies by suicide."

The longtime union activist cited a Harvard Business Review article:  "The majority of suicide deaths occur among working age individuals, and statistics show that the number of suicides at work have reached record highs."

Explained Morris: "After years of activism and lobbying to make it easier for those in crisis to seek the help needed, Congress passed and the president signed this 988 measure. It is one of the most important actions to prevent suicide in recent memory.

"This was needed due to the ease of the three digit 988 lifeline as opposed to the 1-800-283-8255. According to the CDC, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2020 alone there were an estimated 1.2 million Americans who attempted suicide and 45,979 Americans died by suicide, which is 1 death every 11 minutes."

He urged union members, "Please let your friends and family know about 988, a potentially lifesaving hotline. Post it on your bulletin boards at work. Let your work family and your union brothers and sisters know, they are not alone, and there is help at 988." 

More information is available online at 988lifeline.org