FCC wants to expand access to national suicide prevention line through text

Text providers have until July 16, 2022 to support text messaging to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

What you need to know

• The FCC plans to make the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline service accessible through text messaging.
• Text providers must enable automatic rerouting of text messages sent to 988 to the Lifeline.
• The goal is to make it easer to access the network for those who want "a certain level of anonymity."

The Federal Communications Commission is considering implementing a new method for people in crisis to seek help from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by sending a text message in addition to calling the network.

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed an order that would allow anyone seeking to connect with mental health professionals to simply send a text message to 988. The message should be automatically routed to the Lifeline's full number (1-800-273-8255).

Rosenworcel noted that texting has become the "primary mode of communication" for a lot of young people and at-risk communities such as the LGBTQ+. "And as such, we should meet them where they are — so they can connect to mental health resources no matter how they communicate during a crisis," she said.

The proposed order will also make it easier for people with hearing impairments or who simply want to remain anonymous to contact Lifeline personnel using a mobile device, including many of the best Android phones and iOS devices. The network provides free support to people who are "in suicidal crisis or emotional distress." On November 18, the commission will vote on the proposal.

Text providers must support the new order by July 16, 2022 for every messaging format that's compatible with the Lifeline. The FCC is also considering adopting the same method for the Veterans Crisis Line.

The Lifeline can already be accessed through web-based online chats, and the proposed text-to-988 method should expand access to the network.