New Mexico’s suicide rate is now the second-highest in the country, and to combat this dismal statistic, the state is implementing a new hotline number that will be easier to remember for those who are struggling with thoughts of taking their own life.
The new number, 9-8-8, will go into effect on Oct. 24, according to the Albuquerque Journal. It is currently 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).
"Suicide was the eighth leading cause of death among New Mexico residents. Among those 15-17 years, suicide was the leading cause of death by age group, tied with unintentional injuries. Among those 5-14 and 18-34 years, suicide was the second leading cause of death by age group, and among those 35-44 years, it was the third leading cause," a the 2020 New Mexico Health Department factsheet said.
New Mexico’s suicide rate has consistently been over 50% higher than the rest of the nation, and it increased by 37% from 2009-2018. According to New Mexico Epidemiology, in 2018, New Mexicans between the ages of 20-34 had the highest rate of suicide, with 37.3 of every 100,000 taking their own life.
The change to the emergency number also means that New Mexicans will need to begin using ten digits when dialing local numbers, instead of just the seven allowed now, the Albuquerque Journal reported.