A joint memorial in support of a national suicide prevention hotline system passed the Idaho House on a 62-8 vote Monday and now goes to the Senate.
The measure, sponsored by Genesee Republican Representative Caroline Troy, notes that Congress last year directed the Federal Communications Commission to “examine the feasibility of designating a simple, easy-to-remember, three-digit dialing code to be used for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system.”
Based on the effectiveness of the 911 emergency number, Troy’s bill encourages the FCC to reserve 611 for suicide prevention, since that’s the only undesignated “N11” number left.
If the agency doesn’t follow through, her bill encourages Idaho’s congressional delegation to submit legislation accomplishing that goal.
Troy noted that calling 911, only to be transferred to Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, simply adds one more step to getting someone the help they need.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In Idaho, it’s the second-leading cause of death for men between the ages of 15 and 44. In 2017, Idaho ranked fifth in the nation for per capita suicide rate. (Lewiston Tribune)
