Every year, communities across the country recognize Suicide Prevention Week as a time to raise awareness, provide education, and reduce stigma around mental health and suicide. This year, the week serves as an important reminder of the role that 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, plays in saving lives and supporting individuals in crisis.
What is 988?
Launched in July 2022, 988 is the nationwide three-digit number designed to connect people in crisis with mental health professionals. It offers 24/7 confidential support via calls, texts, and chats. Since its launch, the Lifeline has received more than 10 million combined interactions.
Why Suicide Prevention Week Matters
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the CDC, more than 49,000 Americans died by suicide in 2022, the highest number ever recorded. Raising awareness during this week helps:
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Encourage open conversations about mental health.
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Educate communities on available resources like 988.
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Empower individuals to reach out for help or offer support to loved ones.
Every conversation and connection can make a difference.
988 Day of Awareness
In addition to Suicide Prevention Week, communities also recognize September 8 as National 988 Day of Awareness. This day highlights the importance of ensuring everyone knows about 988 and how it works. It serves as a reminder to share the resource with family, friends, and colleagues so that anyone in crisis can access life-saving support.
Bridging 988 to 9-1-1 Through Georouting
While 988 provides essential behavioral health support, ensuring callers reach the right local crisis center swiftly and accurately is just as critical.
Currently, 988 routing often relies on the caller's phone number, not their actual location due in part to the prevalence of local number portability. That means someone relocating might still be routed to a call center in their former area, not where they currently are.
To enhance both accuracy and privacy, Intrado has devised a solution that adapts proven 9-1-1 Phase I routing infrastructure for 988:
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It uses cell tower location data combined with static wire center boundaries to generate a “destination code” that represents the nearest crisis call center.
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This destination code is relayed to 988 administrators, routing the call correctly without revealing the caller’s precise location to protect their privacy.
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Intrado's system avoids costly new infrastructure by building on existing frameworks and techniques.
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This solution was proven in a Proof of Concept, consistently routing calls to the correct crisis center.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for immediate, confidential support. You are not alone.
Intrado – Always there in an emergency.
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