A widow and mother shared her personal experience with suicide as she advocates for the new three-digit suicide hotline number.
Kristen Christy’s husband took his own life after returning from a deployment in Baghdad.
Then years later, her son attempted to take his own life. Christy said on that night, her son left a voicemail message to her, pleading out in pain.
“I miss dad…I can’t live without him,” Christy’s son said.
With the launch of the suicide prevention hotline 988, she hopes other people will now know who to call when they need help. Those in need can also text 988.
“We needed to break down barriers. We needed to make it easier for people to ask for help when they’re in that crisis mode, when they’ve got blinders on. They aren’t enough. They don’t matter,” Christy said.
The three-digit suicide hotline number does not replace the already existing lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, but makes it easier for people during emergencies.
To be connected with someone who understands the military culture, just dial one after 988.
If you are worried about someone, you can call 988 and they can call your loved one to check on them.