Federal Agency Cuts Off Funding for Suicide Hotline

News:

Public health advocates are desperately trying to raise funds to save 1-800-SUICIDE, the nation’s best-known suicide hotline, scheduled to be shut down at midnight tonight. The federal agency that funds the hotline says it decided to cut off its support; spokespeople for the hotline say that any government replacement can’t—or won’t—guarantee callers’ confidentiality, and that the government has owed them $266,00 for more than 2 years. Once the hotline goes dark, federal health officials hope to direct callers to their own replacement line, which will give them access to callers’ phone data. More information can be found at www.save1800suicide.org.