T-Mobile becomes the first US carrier to activate ‘988’ that connects customers directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- T-Mobile enabled 988 that connects to National Suicide Prevention hotline
- The carrier is the first in the US to add the number before the FCC deadline
- The FCC is requiring all US carriers to add the number starting July 16, 2022
- Without T-Mobile, the hotline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
T-Mobile has become the first carrier in the US to enable the 988 emergency number that connects customers directly to the National Suicide Prevention hotline.
The move comes more than a year and a half ahead of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) deadline, which is set for July 2022.
T-Mobile customers who dial 988 will now be connected to one of 180 crisis centers across the US – and with no added fees.
T-Mobile’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Abdul Saad said: ‘Making 988 available to our customers was a matter of urgency for us, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the holiday season approaches.’
T-Mobile has become the first carrier in the US to enable the 988 emergency number that connects customers directly to the National Suicide Prevention hotline. The move comes more than a year and a half ahead of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) deadline, which is set for July 2022
Suicide is a major public health concern and is among the leading causes of death in the US.
The latest statistics from the Centers for Diseases Control Prevention show 15.4 million American adults seriously thought about, made a plan for, or attempted suicide, and suicide claims the lives of over 48,000 annually-one death every 11 minutes.
Veterans are hit particularly hard – on average, 17.6 take their own lives every day.
Previous research has found that that one third of Americans are showing signs of clinical anxiety or depression as a result of COVID-19.
T-Mobiles is ahead of the game with the rollout, as the FCC recommended in 2019 that carriers consider enabling 988 for the suicide prevention hotline. For individuals in suicidal crisis and do not have T-Mobile, the hotline can be reach by dialing 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
‘T-Mobile knows how much our customers depend on us for reliable connectivity and when someone needs access to mental health support, seconds truly matter,’ said Saad.
‘Giving our customers a quick connection via 988 to trained mental health care professionals was a priority for us because it could save lives.’
T-Mobiles is ahead of the game with the rollout, as the FCC recommended in 2019 that carriers consider enabling 988 for the suicide prevention hotline.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said: ‘There is a suicide epidemic in this country, and it is disproportionately affecting at-risk populations, including our Veterans and LGBTQ youth.’
‘I intend to move forward on this recommendation. In the meantime, my heart goes out to anyone facing a crisis.’
In less than a year, the FCC voted on the recommendation that was approved and set to go into effect in 2022 – the vote was unanimous.
For individuals in suicidal crisis and do not have T-Mobile, the hotline can be reach by dialing 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).
However, all carriers in the US will enable 988 starting on July 16th, 2022.
Pai said in a statement on following the vote: ‘Establishing the easy-to-remember 988 as the ‘911’ for suicide prevention and mental health services will make it easier for Americans in crisis to access the help they need.’