The new mental health hotline 9-8-8 is now operational across the United States. Individuals facing a mental health crisis can call or text this number to get assistance. The service acts as an alternative to dialing 911 for those in need of mental health support.

Health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee joins Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber to explore the functionality of this hotline. They discuss its impact on the U.S. mental health system and its significance for people in crisis situations.

Here is a list of additional hotlines and resources provided by Aneri Pattani from Kaiser Health News. Note that these resources might have geographical limitations:

• BlackLine: Supports the Black, Black LGBTQ+, brown, Native, and Muslim communities.
• Kiva Centers: Offers daily online peer support groups.
• M.H. First Oakland and M.H. First Sacramento: Operates during specific weekend hours in Oakland and Sacramento, California.
• Peer Support Space: Conducts virtual peer support groups twice daily from Monday to Saturday.
• Project LETS: Provides text support for urgent issues related to involuntary hospitalization.
• Samaritans of New York: A hotline based in New York City.
• Trans Lifeline: A hotline dedicated to trans and questioning individuals.
• Wildflower Alliance: Offers a peer support line and online groups focused on suicide prevention.

For more information, you can follow Short Wave on Twitter @NPRShortWave or email them at [email protected].

This Short Wave episode was produced by Thomas Lu, edited by Rebecca Ramirez, and fact-checked by Berly McCoy. The audio engineering was done by Josh Newell.