988 awesome news!!

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/988-hotline-linked-to-thousands-of-fewer-youth-suicide-deaths-since-launch-study-finds?fbclid=IwZnRzaARbfwBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEez_yIpZiGh99GH1S_AVw9yg1JtcaUA4f1feq9ciTZwhgLiXaLKtUNa-0rogo_aem_YJKCWezG6T4FBwqUrKxHBw

Replies

Community Leaderbobinmaine
bobinmaine

Years ago we had an instant chat feature here where people who were hurting could talk to someone in real time. Suicidal people mostly just need to talk to someone when they start getting those thoughts and because DS had many more members then they have now, there was always someone to talk to. I personally know of at least 3 people whose lives were saved because of that instant chat feature because I was a part of their story and I mentioned it in the community group and others came forward and said the same so I knew that there were many more lives saved then just the ones I spoke about. Then instant chat was taken away from us and never replaced and I always write a yearly message to the people upstairs and tell them we would like to get that back and they tell me it's on the list, so now there is a hotline that can take the place of what we once had and that's a good thing....hugs
malibumark
malibumark

thanks Bob!! it indeed is a good thing!!
MelT2020
MelT2020

I contacted 988 via chat through the website on 12/20/2025. The chat line was a true life saver, especially since i wasn’t comfortable making the call
malibumark
malibumark

That’s so great MeT, I’m so glad you were helped!! God bless you!!!