LINCOLN — Nebraska’s suicide prevention “lifeline” is moving to a new, simpler, three-digit number — 9-8-8 — as of Saturday, July 16, as part of a nationwide effort to make help easier to access during a mental health crisis.

The current suicide crisis line, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), will eventually be replaced by a simpler three-digit number.

Gov. Pete Ricketts and other officials said Wednesday that the easier-to-remember number will also allow a connection to all of the crisis intervention teams that are deployed statewide.

Ricketts and others urged Nebraskans to be proactive and listen to their relatives, friends, and neighbors for signs of depression, isolation, or contemplation of suicide.

“We know that it can be hard to start conversations about mental health, but they are very important conversations and could save a life,” said Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

According to national vital statistics from 2020, 53% of all suicides were committed with a firearm. Ricketts, however, said he would not support changes in gun laws to help prevent suicides.

“I don’t see a need to change gun laws,” he said. “We need to focus on behavioral health and mental health.”

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