Residents of Cibola County can Call or Text 988 for Mental Health Help
A new phone number will make it easier to access mental health tools and support nationwide. Cibola County residents, like all Americans, can now call or text “988” for mental health support.
The three-digit number will apply for everyone. Military veterans who dial the number should press “1” after calling 988 to be connected with a veteran’s mental health specialist. If a veteran would prefer to text instead of speak on the phone, they may text 838255 to access the Veterans Crisis Lifeline.
The New Mexico Department of Health, The US Federal Communications Commission, and the City of Grants want to alert residents in Cibola to the new number and its importance. According to information by the FCC, in 2020 the United States had one death occur by suicide every 11 minutes. For people between ages 10- and 34-years-old, suicide is the leading cause of death.
988 is a number of hope. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a network which spreads from sea to shining sea, connecting more than 200 crisis centers to help thousands of people overcome crisis situations every single day.
The 988 Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls to 988 are confidential, callers will be connected to mental health professionals working with the Lifeline Network who will help guide callers through their mental health crisis.
To learn more about the 988 hotline, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/f ind-help/988 for more information.
Why 988?
In August of 2019 the Federal Communications Commission reported to congress that 988 would save lives by shortening the suicide crisis hotline number. The idea was that 988 is a “[three]-digit dialing code for individuals in crisis to connect to suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.”
On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted new rules which established 988 as a nationwide, “easy-to-remember” number for people living in the United States.
On October 17, 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 was signed into law. In November of 2021 the FCC adopted additional rules which made it possible text 988 for assistance. The previous suicide hotline number would forward callers to 988. On July 16, the number became the official way to contact the National Suicide Hotline.
Local Resources
Village of Milan Police Department has a chaplain program that supports first responders in need. Understanding the wide community need for mental health support, MPD’s chaplain program can also serve the wider public, visit MPD at 619 Uranium Avenue, Milan, New Mexico, 87021.
MPD has a YANA Program to help those feeling lonely or depressed. People in the program will receive a free, daily phone call and will get the opportunity to chat. Visit https://www.villageofmilan.com/y.a.n.a._registration/index.php for more information.