Steube Cosponsors Legislation to Designate National Suicide Hotline Number
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) cosponsored H.R. 4194, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019. This legislation designates the phone number 988 as a universal telephone number for national suicide prevention and as a mental health crisis hotline. This hotline will operate through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line.
“During this pandemic, and always, it is critical that we prioritize the mental health of Americans, especially veterans, who may be experiencing COVID-19 related distress,” Steube said. “An unfathomable 6,000 United States veterans commit suicide each year. This alarming statistic is why I support creating a national suicide hotline number that is easily accessible to all so they may get the help that they need when they need it most.”
Establishing a national suicide hotline number is especially urgent after disturbing reports that mental health problems such as suicide in the United States are rising due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the Veterans Crisis Line serves over 650,000 calls per year. This legislation has received bipartisan support and could potentially save thousands of lives.
You can read the full text of the bill here.
