As we continue into September, we at NAMI Contra Costa continue to raise mental health awareness and suicide prevention. On Tuesday, September 10, NAMI is calling grassroots advocates to support the Local 988 Response Act, a major priority bill to improve the routing of people calling the 988 Lifeline for help during a crisis.

Additionally, the White House planned a 988 Day of Action to follow 988 Day on Tuesday, September 10, which is World Suicide Prevention Day.

What is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline?

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides immediate, 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who are equipped to offer support and guidance during moments of distress. Whether you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis or needs help navigating substance use challenges, 988 is a resource available to everyone, everywhere, at any time. For more information on how 988 can assist you or someone you care about, visit the 988 Lifeline website.

Why 988 Day of Action Matters

988 is already making a significant impact in our communities and saving lives, but we still need to do more to ensure everyone can access the help they need during a crisis. Congress is currently considering new legislation aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of crisis response by routing calls to the nearest crisis call center based on the caller’s approximate location, rather than just their phone’s area code.

How to Take Action

The Local 988 Response Act (H.R. 4974 / S. 3444) seeks to improve both access to and precision of 988 services by:

• Routing calls based on the general proximity of the caller to the call center, rather than relying solely on the area code. The bill ensures that specific address details of the caller are not automatically disclosed or visible to the call center.
• Mandating that carriers must enable calls and texts to 988 even if the plan is inactive or if the carrier is experiencing service disruptions.
• Extending Kari’s Law to 988, which will require multi-line systems, such as those in hotels and offices, to support direct dialing of 988 without needing to dial an additional number first.

Encourage your members of Congress to support and prioritize this crucial legislation this year!

Mark Your Calendar for This Event

NAMI CC’s 4th Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Event

As part of our ongoing commitment to mental health advocacy and education, NAMI Contra Costa will host our fourth annual “Suicide Prevention Awareness Event” on September 21. This event will further our mission to educate the community about recognizing the signs of suicide and how to seek help. For more details, visit our event page: 4th Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Event: Know the Signs.

Get Involved

Today, we encourage you to participate in 988 Day of Action by not only spreading the word about the 988 Lifeline but also calling on Congress to Improve Local 988 Response through passing the Local 988 Response Act (H.R. 4974 / S. 3444).

Thank you for your continued support in making mental health a priority and working towards a future where everyone has access to the help they need.

988 Fact Sheets

988 Fact Sheets are available here in English and Spanish for your convenience.