Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
July 27, 2007, Vol. 07-115

SAMHSA Awards .88 Million to Link2Health Solutions to Manage National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded ,880,000 to Link2Health Solutions, a subsidiary of the Mental Health Association of New York City, for a Cooperative Agreement to operate the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

"Telephone hot lines, especially those equipped to handle callers with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, can offer life saving help," said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D. "This new grant award will continue to ensure that assistance for those in need is just a phone call away."

L2HS will be awarded approximately .88 million each year for up to five years. The grant is being awarded by SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services.

L2HS, which was the administrator of this grant prior to the award of 2007 funds, will continue to manage, enhance and strengthen the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of more than 120 crisis centers across the U.S. that respond to more than 36,000 calls every month. In existence since January 2005, the Lifeline serves as a central switchboard to immediately connect callers to a local crisis center that is geographically closest to the caller. Callers to the hot line number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), receive assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lifeline is one of SAMHSA's infrastructure programs that provide a solid foundation for delivering and sustaining effective mental health services.

L2HS will manage the Lifeline in partnership with the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and Living Works.

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.