FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed an order that would provide better support to those in need by enabling three-digit texting to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The Lifeline provides free, confidential support to Americans who are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The proposal, which would use 988 as the texting number, will be voted on by the commission during an open meeting on November 18.
If approved, the resulting Second Report and Order would adopt an implementation deadline. It would require covered text providers to support 988 texting by routing the texts to Lifeline’s 10-digit number — 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) by July 16, 2022. This is the same date set by the FCC for enablement of the same three-digit number – 988 – to reach Lifeline by telephone.
“Texting has become an integral part of how we stay in touch, with Americans sending an estimated 2.2 trillion text messages in 2020 alone. During a global pandemic where so many have felt isolated from their friends and family, and students have been separated from their peers, the ability to text to stay connected has proven even more critical,” Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a press release. “For so many of our nation’s young people and at-risk communities, including LGBTQ+ youth and people with disabilities, texting is their primary mode of communication. And as such, we should meet them where they are—so they can connect to mental health resources no matter how they communicate during a crisis.”
If passed, the item would do two additional things. It would establish a process for those covered to transmit messages in additional text messaging formats that the Lifeline is capable of receiving. The item also would find that FCC federal partners are best positioned to determine whether and how to text 988 to the Veterans Crisis Line’s text service.