Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline expands services

BOISE – The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline is expanding its services by adding an additional phone line for people to call in crisis.

The Idaho Statesman reported that the new phone number will also accept text messages Mondays through Fridays, between 3 p.m. and midnight. Organizers announced the additional services on Monday.

Idaho’s suicide rate has long been above the national average, peaking as the ninth highest rate in the country in 2014, the most recent year for which figures were available, when the rate was 46 percent higher than the national average.

The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline has fielded nearly 5,400 calls so far this year.

The suicide hotline’s original number is still 1-800-273-TALK. The additional number is 208-398-HELP.