A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

to request the Department of Transportation place appropriate signs containing the words "988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline" on each of the State's highway overpasses to inform the traveling public of this resource.

 

Whereas, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States and its territories. The 988 Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over two hundred local crisis centers, combining local care and resources with national standards and best practices; and

 

Whereas, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) is a leader in suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. The history of and transition from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline follows; and

 

Whereas, in 2024, the 988 Lifeline celebrated its second anniversary in July and the inaugural 988 Day on September 8th. Georouting of voice calls was launched on September seventeenth, which allows cellular phone calls to 988 to be routed to a local crisis center based on the caller's approximate location rather than area code. This provides help seekers with faster, more localized support, ensuring they receive care when, where, and how they need it most. On October 18, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules requiring georouting for all wireless calls to 988 (applies to all wireless carriers). Similar to voice, in November 2024, the FCC began the rulemaking process for georouting for text messaging; and

 

Whereas, since its launch in July 2022, the 988 Lifeline has answered over thirteen million calls, texts, and chats from people in need of support across the U.S. and its territories; and

 

Whereas, the 988 Lifeline has been independently evaluated since its inception by an investigation team from Columbia University's Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene. Studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, depressed, overwhelmed, and more hopeful after connecting with a 988 Lifeline counselor. The 988 Lifeline receives ongoing consultation and guidance from national and international researchers and experts focused on suicide prevention and crisis response; and

 

Whereas, it is imperative that the traveling public be made aware of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by the placement of appropriate signs along the state's highway overpasses to inform the traveling public of this resource. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation place appropriate "988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline" signs on each of the state's highway overpasses.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

----XX---