The State of Washington hopes a new three-digit number for people to call when they are experiencing mental health crises will do what 911 did for first responders.
Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill designating 988 as the state's suicide prevention hotline, part of a nationwide system. It launches July 2022 and will tie together in-state call centers with 911 operators, police, and behavioral health providers, to connect people in distress with immediate help.
“For most people, the only number they know to call is 911. This may end up having an officer come to their house. Officers are not social workers, nor do they want to be,” said Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), who introduced a bill to establish and fund the 988 system.
The state is spending $95 million to build the system over the next several years.