Georgians experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis now have a new hotline they can call for help. The 988 number is designed to quickly connect callers to trained telephone counselors who can triage the caller’s needs and secure additional phone or in-person mental health resources if needed.  

The national hotline has been in the works for several years.

Organizers say the hope behind 988 is to create an emergency number that’s as easy to remember and dial from anywhere as 911 while also better addressing the country’s growing need for mental health assistance.

The new 988 number became operational on July 16th of this year.

It’s available for anyone experiencing mental health distress or a mental health crisis, thoughts of suicide, or a substance use crisis.

People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.