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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Health

988: US to launch mental health and suicide prevention hotline

Potential patients will be able to call or send text messages to 9-8-8 starting Saturday [File: Jenny Kane/AP Photo]

The United States is set to launch its first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline that will connect people experiencing mental health emergencies or suicidal thoughts to trained counselors.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which will go live on Saturday, aims “put crisis care more in reach for people in need”.

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