Minnesota is getting an important tool back when it comes to suicide prevention.
1.2 million dollars in funding from the 2019 Legislature is kicking in, allowing the state to open four suicide prevention call centers. Minnesota has been without a locally based Lifeline since 2018 due to a lack of funding.
People in distress will still call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which will transfer the calls to one of the local call centers, according to Minnesota Department of Health Suicide Prevention Supervisor Tanya Carter.
"The numbers are routed based on the first five digits of an individual's phone number. So that's how it's determined which particular call center may be answering a phone call," said Carter.
National figures show 739 Minnesotans died by suicide last year; approximately one person every 12 hours. It was the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34.
Carter says the re-establishment of the call centers is an important step forward for mental health.
"Suicide is preventable, mental health is treatable, recovery is possible. Know that there is hope and there is help."
