988 hotline for mental health help takes effect Saturday, July 16
Warren-Washington Counties Office of Community Services is advising residents of 988 being phased in as the new 3-digit phone number to the national mental health crisis hotline, taking effect Saturday, July 16. As of Saturday, dialing or texting 988 will connect those who need help directly with mental health counselors in New York State through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The goal is for the simple, three-digit number to make it easier for those who need help to get it locally and nationally. An online chat hotline will also be available through https://988lifeline.org/
Warren-Washington Counties Office of Community Services coordinates mental health services in Warren and Washington counties.
“We urge residents to take note of this important change and to know that trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that they can get mental health help when they need it,” explained Carrie Wright, Program Analyst for Warren-Washington Counties Office of Community Services.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that call centers have been staffed to serve all 62 New York State counties for the July 16 implementation of the new number.
In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to be operated through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.