NAMI CEO Statement on Introduction of “9–8–8” Crisis Response Legislation

Oct 25, 2019

This week, Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced S. 2661, a bipartisan companion bill to the House’s bipartisan H.R. 4194 introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), establishing “9-8-8” as a nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis response system.
 
The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Acting CEO Angela Kimball released the following statement in response:
 
“If you are in a car accident, you don’t have to remember a 10-digit number to get immediate help – a mental health emergency should be no different. That’s why NAMI supports the introduction of both the House and Senate versions of a bill that would establish a 3-digit, easy to remember universal number for those seeking help during a mental health crisis and for suicide prevention. The creation of a nationwide ‘9-8-8’ number could mean the difference between life and death by diverting people from the criminal justice system and instead get them the right care when they need it most.”