On July 16, Vibrant Emotional Healththe nonprofit that operates the lifeline on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)launched the 988 dialing code available to everyone across the United States, CNN reported.
Dialing 988 will connect the caller with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for mental-health crises.
So far, the dialing code to reach the lifeline has been 1-800-273-TALK, which will remain operational during the current expansion to 988. Text messages can be sent to the three-digit number as well.
In addition, veterans can now dial 988 and press 1 to reach the Veteran Crisis Line.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which SAMHSA funds, has been in operation since 2005.