Ruralites left out of suicide hotline

For people considering self-inflicted death, there is an opportunity of 10 minutes or less to intervene and potentially change that course of action.

July 16 marked a milestone in the national mental health discussion with the roll out of the 9-8-8 call system. Previously, anyone in crisis was encouraged to call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). In 2020, Congress enacted legislation requiring the shortening of the crisis lifeline to 9-8-8 to make it easier for people to remember.

As part of that legislation, states were required to implement support structures an...