Texting option weighed for upcoming ‘988’ suicide hotline

Recognizing that many Americans rely on texting, U.S. regulators are considering requiring that phone companies allow people to text a suicide hotline. The Federal Communications Commission last summer voted to require a new “988” number for people to call to reach a suicide prevention hotline. Phone companies have until July 2022 to implement the three-digit calling number. In weighing whether to require texts to 988 as well, the agency noted the importance of texting for young peop