Congressman’s son’s suicide leads to 988
By Phoebe Choi, FestForums | July 16, 2024
On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted rules to “establish 988 as the nationwide, easy-to-remember 3-digit dialing code for people in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. As a result, covered phone service and text providers in the United States…were required to direct all 988 calls and texts to the the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by July 16, 2022.”
Three years later in 2023, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) reintroduced the 988 Implementation Act with Congressmembers Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Don Beyer (VA-08).
“Our country faces a mental health crisis that has left millions of our people feeling alone and helpless,” said Congressman Raskin. “I’m proud to help reintroduce the bipartisan 988 Implementation Act, which will build on the progress we achieved last year in supporting our local crisis call centers by vastly expanding access to mental health crisis response teams. Thanks to Congressman Cárdenas for his passionate leadership in building our mental health crisis response infrastructure, and thanks to all my colleagues for their support of this urgently needed legislation.”
In February 2023, Congressman Jamie Raskin was honored at FestForums as the Mental Health Champion. During the keynote panel session at FestForums 2023, Congressman Jamie Raskin notes: “For me the question of taking mental health seriously goes right to the heart of having a democracy where everybody is seen and heard where we try to alleviate the misfortunes and the difficulties and the pain of life for people so everybody can participate and I'm glad that we're living in a time where there is real progress that's the name in terms of mental health and they're much greater attention being brought to it.”
During the panel, he spoke about the vulnerable story of his son and the importance of mental health in festivals. Furthermore, mental health at festivals is a public health threat. According to The Daily Guardian, “Festivals can be plenty of entertainment, yet they may be equally adverse to your mental health. It is vital to be conscious of these risks and to take measures to mitigate them.” These risks and effects include: sensory overload, substance abuse, financial strain, increased risk of victimization, and mental health relapse.
Now just 4 years later, we continue to emphasize the importance of mental health and providing resources that are available and accessible. The 988 Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats, or texts to anyone who needs support.