Dr. Carole Myers of the UT College of Nursing speaks with Bruce Marshall of Contact Care Line about a new dedicated hotline, 988, that will launch nationwide on July 16, 2022 to link callers to experts in suicide prevention and mental health.
Similar to the 911 hotline, the new 988 line will make it easier for Americans in crisis to access potentially life-saving resources. The hotline is expected to increase the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts, ease access to crisis services, and reduce stigma surrounding suicide and mental health conditions.
Suicide is the 12th leading overall cause of death in the US, claiming 45,900 lives in 2020. It is the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 10-14 and 25-34; the 3rd leading cause of death for those aged 15-24; and the 4th leading cause of death for those aged 35-44 (NIMH).
Suicide rates vary by population. Middle-aged people (45-54), especially males, account for 80% of deaths by suicide (SAMHSA); suicide rate is 4x higher among males than females (NIMH) and is higher in rural America than urban America (SAMSHA). Males aged 85 and older have the highest rate of suicide of any group in the country (isolation, history of violence, access to lethal means) (SAMSHA).
