February 2, 2020 10:30 a.m.

The Oregon Health Authority has received a planning grant to prepare the state for the launch of 988, a national suicide prevention emergency number that will go live on July 16th, 2022.

An OHA release said the $135,000 grant will help Oregon with resources, training, technical assistance, and infrastructure needs to allow access to the number by that date. The grant requires Oregon to begin its planning now.

OHA said Oregon received the grant on January 25th through Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit that administers the National Suicide Prevention hotline. The organization has awarded grants to 49 states and territories.

OHA Director Patrick Allen said “We look forward to having another tool to help us save lives”.

The new 988 number will become the national three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, replacing the current phone number which is 1-800-273-TALK. Anyone needing support should call that number until the new number is active in July.

OHA Behavioral Director Steve Allen said, “The recognition that mental health and addiction crises are as important and pervasive as physical health crises is a long time coming”.

988 call centers must be members of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. More information about Lifeline members is posted: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/our-crisis-centers/