Great news from the mental health community.

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act has been approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The Act was unanimously approved by the Senate Committee.

What’s next? This Act will need be passed on the Federal level to get put into action.

Why this is exciting: This would change the current 10-digit Suicide hotline number to a 3-digit number, 9-8-8. This would allow for people to have quicker access to mental health care. Likewise, this shows the importance our government is placing on mental health care and suicide prevention.

Veterans can call this number, then they have a warm hand off to the Veteran Crisis Line. It will make it easier for them to maneuver the hotline system, too.

Until then, Veterans can still call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or the Combat Call Center at 1-877-WAR-VETS. However, if there is an emergency, please call 911 or our friends at the local police departments, Greenville Police Department, Spartanburg Police Department, Clemson City Police Department, City of Anderson Police Department, across the Upstate of South Carolina. They can provide immediate emergency help!