New 988 suicide prevention hotline launches nationwide this weekend Transcript

Destiny McKeiver: (00:00) Getting help during a crisis, just a lot more simple as we learn today. A new national Suicide Prevention Hotline launched today. On your side, Zach Wilcox, joins us live from Baptist Health in downtown Jacksonville. Zach, all it takes is just three digits now to get you the help you need. Zach Wilcox: (00:20) Yeah, Destiny, all you have to do is dial 988 and that's going to get you the help you need in the time you need it. A quick, easy-to-remember number, and Baptist Health here, they've been preparing for this new rollout here today for months, as they think that maybe having easier-to-remember number like that is going to lead to more people actually being able to remember it for the time that they need it. Speaker 3: (00:38) I hear how heavy it is weighing on you. Dr. Terrie Andrews: (00:38) It was so difficult to be able to memorize that 1-800 Suicide Hotline number. Zach Wilcox: (00:46) The 10-digit number that stood in place for years has shrunk down to 3, 988. Dr. Terrie Andrews of Baptist Health is hoping less digits to remember will mean more people will actually call or text when they need help. Dr. Terrie Andrews: (00:59) We're hoping people use the number. If they are in need of help, we want them. Zach Wilcox: (01:03) Andrews says Baptist Health and several partner organizations have spent months getting ready for the new number to launch. Dr. Terrie Andrews: (01:09) We are working together to be able to come up with an algorithm and decision trees to be able to connect these people to the right sources of care once we have deescalated the calls. Zach Wilcox: (01:18) She says they'll need more money from State and local leaders to create mobile response teams when the call volume increases. But right now, she's just optimistic, thinking about how many more people will be helped. Dr. Terrie Andrews: (01:29) It's a great thing, very great thing. Zach Wilcox: (01:30) So Dr. Andrews is just right now focusing on the fact that you can call or text. She really wants people to notice that you can call or text 988 to get help. And if you feel more comfortable texting, you can get it directly that way as well. In Jacksonville, Zach Wilcox, First Coast News on your side. Destiny McKeiver: (01:47) All right, thank you so much, Zach.