Idaho’s health information line, known as 2-1-1, is teaming with the state suicide prevention hotline to get callers in crisis help more quickly.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced Tuesday that Idaho’s health information line will work more closely with the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline to ensure more callers get the support they need. Idaho has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation.
“The statistic about Idaho and suicide is something none of us are proud of,” Little said.
The changes are meant to make sure callers are transferred to a suicide hotline, no matter what time of day or night. One goal is to prevent a situation where an operator has to hang up on a caller before getting them to the right number.
Callers who may be at risk for suicide will be transferred directly to the suicide prevention line.
It comes as part of a larger effort by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to lower the state's suicide rate.
Resources if you or someone you know is considering suicide:
Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline: Text or call 1-208-398-HELP (4357)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Options For Deaf + Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889
En español: 1-888-628-9454
Veterans Crisis Line & Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
Crisis Text Line: 741-741
In emergency situations, call 911.
Follow Heath Druzin on Twitter, @HDruzin
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