T-Mobile Makes 988 Emergency Lifeline’s Critical Mental Health Support Services Immediately Available to Customers
November 20 2020 - 9:15AM
Business Wire
What’s the news: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, stressful
holiday season and National Veterans and Military Families Month,
T-Mobile announced that it is the first major wireless provider to
make the 988 emergency lifeline immediately available to its
customers. Starting today, customers who dial 988 on the T-Mobile
network will have free access to approximately 180 crisis centers
that offer real-time, lifesaving mental health services from
professionally trained counselors.
Why it matters: Suicide is a national health crisis that
leads to one death every 11 minutes. An average of 17.6 of
America’s military veterans die by suicide each day and a larger
number of people than ever are showing signs of clinical anxiety or
depression amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-digit 988 dial-out
makes it easier for Americans in crisis to access the help they
need and experts believe it will decrease the stigma surrounding
mental health issues longer term.
Who it’s for: Those who recognize that rapid access to
suicide prevention and mental health counseling is critical,
especially now.
T-Mobile has once again demonstrated its commitment to getting
customers the essential connectivity they need at the most
important times. The Un-carrier announced today that it is the
first major wireless provider to activate the new nationwide
988-emergency lifeline for customers on the T-Mobile network. Those
in need of free mental health support can now get it immediately by
dialing 988 to be connected directly to the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline, a network of approximately 180 local- and
state-funded crisis centers.
As mental health issues rise and suicide rates climb, this
critical service couldn’t come quick enough. According to the most
recent annual data from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 15.4 million American adults seriously thought about,
made a plan for, or attempted suicide, and suicide claims the lives
of over 48,000 annually — one death every 11 minutes. Veterans are
hit particularly hard; on average, 17.6 veterans take their own
lives every day. And this year the U.S. enters the holiday season
with the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, recent
research found that one third of Americans — more than ever before
— are showing signs of clinical anxiety or depression as a result
of COVID-19.
T-Mobile moved quickly to take necessary measures needed to
activate this service for its customers far ahead of the July 2022
deadline established by the Federal Communications Commission
earlier this year. T-Mobile modified its nationwide network to
translate and route 988 calls to the existing National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline number, updated its billing system to ensure no
customer will be charged for using the service and created a
bounce-back message so anyone texting 988 on the T-Mobile network
will get an immediate response advising them to place a voice call
to 988.
“T-Mobile knows how much our customers depend on us for reliable
connectivity and when someone needs access to mental health
support, seconds truly matter. Giving our customers a quick
connection via 988 to trained mental health care professionals was
a priority for us because it could save lives,” said T-Mobile’s
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Abdul Saad.
“Making 988 available to our customers was a matter of urgency for
us, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the holiday
season approaches. And it’s particularly meaningful to launch this
during November as we recognize the contributions and acknowledge
the sacrifices of our military veterans. I’m proud that T-Mobile is
doing our part to help get this lifesaving tool in the hands of
those who will benefit from it.”
Anyone who needs help can find it by calling the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK) and
through online chats. Veterans and service members may reach the
Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing, as well as by
chatting online at www.veteranscrisisline.net or texting
838255.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged
Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative
nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for
all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of
value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best
possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption
that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its
subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by
T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit:
http://www.t-mobile.com.
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T-Mobile US, Inc. Media Relations
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