Background
Pursuant to its obligation to protect public safety and its authority to ensure the “efficient, fair and orderly allocation of toll-free numbers” under the Communications Act, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has assigned toll-free numbers be used as National Suicide Prevention Hotline numbers. The FCC has assigned these numbers to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, and administers the National Suicide Prevention program. The three numbers assigned to SAMHSA to be used as hotlines are:
- 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
- 1-888-SUICIDE (1-888-784-2433)
- 1-877-SUICIDA (1-877-784-2432) (Spanish).
In addition to these numbers, the FCC has reserved the 211 dialing code for community information and referral services. Dialing 211 gives consumers an easy-to-remember method to help connect individuals and families in need with the appropriate, community-based organizations and/or government agencies.
For More Information
For more information about these numbers, visit the SAMHSA website. For more information about national suicide prevention help in general, visit the SAMHSA website.
For information about other communications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau website, or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiry and Complaints Division
455 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
