Whether political discourse has you stressed, you’re going through a tough breakup, or you’re struggling with dark thoughts, help is just three numbers away.
The 988 Crisis Lifeline is a simple number you can call or text at any time to be connected with a trained mental health professional.
However, whoever picks up the phone when you call is shifting closer to where you are calling from.
Since its launch, 988 has been a lifeline for many.
But until recently, the way your call was routed depended on your phone’s area code.
That means if you moved from another state and kept your out-of-state number, you were likely connected to a far-away counselor.
“Up until September 17 of this year, all of those calls were routed by area code,” said Anne Ngamsombat from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). “As we know, in today’s cell phone age, many of us have moved from one place to another and carried our phone numbers with us. So when your call was routed to your ‘local’ center, it may not actually be where you’re physically standing.”