US to Launch New 988 Mental Health Hotline for Emergencies

US to Launch New 988 Mental Health Hotline for Emergencies
A man uses a cell phone in New Orleans, La., on Aug. 11, 2019. Jenny Kane/The Associated Press
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Starting Saturday, Americans can dial 988 to get help for urgent mental health care and suicidal thoughts, when the new national three-digit hotline will open.

The new three-digit dialing code is designed to be as easy to use as dialing 911 for emergencies that require police, firefighters, or paramedics, except 988 dispatchers will connect callers with trained mental health counselors.

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