A national hotline meant to offer Americans a connection to suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors will require Montanans to dial 406 for local phone calls.
The forthcoming 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, set to become available July 2022, will replace the current 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) hotline.
The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) designation of the 988 Lifeline means that local numbers in 37 states will require an area code to prevent problems with reaching the Lifeline.
The FCC says Montanans should begin using 1-406 before all local calls beginning Apr. 24 next year. Area codes become mandatory Oct. 24, 2021.
Telephone numbers, including current area codes, will not change. Neither will the price of calls or rates.
The FCC published answers to frequently asked questions here.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, the current hotline number is still 1-800-273-TALK. That is 1-800-273-8255.
