The preliminary report relating to Rep. Stewart’s suicide hotline bill, signed by the President last year, was released.

Stewart’s National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2345) asks the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration  (SAMHSA), and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to conduct the following study:

• Perform a cost and benefit analysis of using a three-digit dialing code for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system
• Recommend the best three-digit number for this purpose
• Examine the overall effectiveness of the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line and recommend ways to improve the current system.

The SAMHSA Hotline Improvement Act report goes into great detail about the hotline’s challenges, the benefits of a three-digit dialing code, and recommendations for improving the Lifeline including increased public education and improved infrastructure. The VA also released their report on the hotline.

The full report, including the three-digit number recommendation, is due to Congress in August.

“Too many people have been affected by suicide, including those in my home state of Utah. We must expend every effort possible to reverse this tragedy. I am excited to see progress being made to designate a 3-digit dialing code.”- Rep. Chris Stewart