The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted a new three-digit number for use nationwide to reach the National Suicide and Prevention & Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. The number will be ‘988.’
All phone numbers within the ‘218’ area code will require the use of a 10-digit local phone number because ‘988’ is used within the area code explained Halstad Telephone Company CEO Mark Forseth. “Of concern to me as a Minnesota Telecom Company, it’s affecting the 218 area codes,” said Forseth. “The reason that it’s affecting is that a phone number is made up of certain parts. The 988, the first three numbers that we call an NPX is already in use in our area code. Because of that, if they don’t move us to the 10-digit dialing and someone were to call that 988 it could end up where the call wouldn’t go through for the suicide prevention hotline.”
Forseth said there will likely be some confusion because 10-digit dialing won’t be required universally, just within certain area codes. “It’s going to be some confusion definitely,” said Forseth. “It isn’t just a Halstad Telephone thing, it’s anyone with a ‘218’ area code in the ‘218’ area code area. Over in North Dakota, the whole state is ‘701’, and nowhere in North Dakota is there a ‘701-988-‘ number, so it doesn’t affect them. ‘612’ down in the cities, there is no ‘612-988-‘, so it doesn’t affect them.”
Forseth said his advice is to start dialing 10-digit numbers right away. “We have it set up in our telephone switch so people can start dialing 10-digits,” said Forsberg. “And our advice is to start dialing 10-digits. We’re telling people that you need to get used to it. If you’re busy one day or you just forget about it your call will still go through. But in October, you won’t get that grace period. Your call won’t go through and you’ll get a message that you need to dial 10-digits.”
Using a 10-digit number won’t make the call long-distance said, Forseth. “One of the first things I think is that’s us moving everything to long distance. And no, your local calls will still be your local calls, you’re just going to have to dial the 10-digit number. ‘911’ is the emergency number and ‘988’ becomes the suicide prevention number.”
