BEGINNING TOMORROW THE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE CAN BE ACCESSED BY SIMPLY DIALING 9-8-8. 

Colorado joins the rest of the nation in making access to suicide prevention services easier to remember with its own 3-digit phone number. But the hotline can be used to access a wide variety of mental health services. Here's a partial list from Colorado Crisis Services, the entity that handles the suicide prevention hotline for Colorado. 

Crisis looks and feels different for everyone—so if you find yourself struggling with any mental health, substance use, or emotional challenge, our services are for you. No problem is too small. Common call topics include: depression, substance use, grief and loss, self-injury, suicidal thoughts, bullying, stress, parenting concerns, trauma, drugs and alcohol, relationship problems, family crisis, anxiety, COVID-related challenges, domestic violence, homelessness, disability, concerns for a friend or family member, recovery support, and resource questions.

A direct three-digit line to trained counselors can open the door for millions of Americans to seek the help they need, while sending the message to the country that healing, hope, and help are happening every day. As the universal dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 988 will increase the accessibility of these life-saving interventions and resources.

Similar to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the 988 crisis line is expected to:

• Connect a person in a mental health crisis to a trained counselor who can address their immediate needs and help connect them to ongoing care
• Reduce health care spending with more cost-effective early intervention
• Help end stigma toward those seeking or accessing mental healthcare
• Reduce use of law enforcement, public health, and other safety resources
• Meet the growing need for crisis intervention at scale