Verizon welcomes FCC effort to make "988" a suicide prevention resource
Full Transparency
Our editorial transparency tool uses blockchain technology to permanently log all changes made to official releases after publication.
More of our content is being permanently logged via blockchain technology starting [10.23.2020].
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today voted to move forward on a proposal to create a new 3-digit dialing code (“988”) for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. The following statement should be attributed to Kathy Grillo, Verizon Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Public Policy and Government Affairs:
"Verizon welcomes the FCC's move to create an easier way to reach the national suicide prevention hotline. More than 47,000 Americans took their own lives in 2017, and that number has been increasing annually. This is an issue that matters and impacts millions of Americans, including far too many who served in our military. We will work with the FCC to resolve technical challenges and quickly bring this additional resource online for people in need. This is an effort that truly has the ability to save lives and make a difference to countless individuals and families each year. "