The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in crisis. With suicide being the 10th cause of death in the United States, there's now a push to make resources more easily available.
The number is 1-800-273-TALK
"For somebody whose in crisis and they feel isolated and alone and they feel like they're a burden to others, it's very hard for them to remember oh, there's a 1-800 number. Let me look it up and call," said Shannon Decker, CEO and co-founder, Speedy Foundation.
Decker co-founded the Speedy Foundation after her cousin, Jaret "Speedy" Peterson, a three time Olympian skier died by suicide.
Decker says nationwide there's been a push to put a three digit number into place for those who are in emotional crisis.
"Children know that they call 9-1-1 if they see somebody that's not responding. They call 9-1-1 if there's stranger danger. They call 9-1-1 if there's a fire. For fifth graders and sixth graders to know that when you are feeling really sad, your heart is really heavy, when you think that nobody else can listen, there is a phone number to call. It's not 9-1-1. It would be blank 1-1 and that it's free, it's anonymous and that person cares about you. They'll help you come up with a plan."
Decker says several states are already looking into it.
"It would have been a huge life saver in 2011 where we lost Speedy. It would have been huge for somebody that's in crisis and really is struggling to know that they have an option."
The FCC is asking for public comment. You can file your comments by June seventh at fcc.gov and search National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act.
