This July, America is getting a new phone number, a hotline for just three digits for mental health emergencies including thoughts of suicide, erratic behavior and addiction issues. 

The number is 988, and works like the national emergency number of 911, except especially for mental health emergencies. 

The difference in numbers comes as it can be dangerous for people experiencing mental health emergencies to contact 911 and be greeted by untrained first responders, especially if they are hallucinating, hurting themselves or on the verge of overdosing.

The law creating the new line passed on Oct. 17, 2020 and converts the National Suicide Prevention lifelines from 10 digits to three. Advocates see it as a front door for people in all kinds of mental health crises. 

States are required to have some version of the 988 system up and running by July 2022, but the actual shape it takes is up to each state. 

In California, the state Department of Health Care Services announced in September it would spend $20 million to help launch the 988 system. AB 988 is legislation that would tack on up to 80 cents a month on phone lines in the state — both wireless and landline services — to provide ongoing funding for the system and associated services. 

To fund the hotline, there is some money from the Biden administration but initially 988 is dependent on the states.

Upon calling 988, callers can expect to encounter crisis counselors who staff the National Suicide prevention lifeline, which is staffed locally by counselors and from that 180 call centers in the country.

If the person is in need of more assistance than can be provided through the phone, the call center would dispatch a first responder to the caller’s location. Who actually responds to these emergencies should depend on the cities themselves. 

Most researchers and advocates expect the 988 rollout to be bumpy. Federal health officials have said to give local providers more time to ramp up operations, they will begin serious promotion of the new line in 2023. 

Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can look here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:

• 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

• 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center

• 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center

• 661-288-4800 for the Santa Clarita Valley Mental Health Center

• 661- 765-8445 for Insight Treatment Santa Clarita
• 800-852-8336 for the Teen Line Peer Suicide Prevention 6-10 p.m.  or text TEEN to 839863
• 1-866-488-7386 for the Trevor Project LGBTQ suicide helpline

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