New York residents will now need to dial 716 before they make a local phone call.
This began yesterday when the FCC adopted 988 as the new three digit number to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline. The 988 hotline will go live beginning in July.
According to a report, 82 different area codes throughout the country have been found to have a number that starts with 988. So in an effort to prevent unnecessary calls going to the hotline, you’ll need to dial your area code before you dial a local number. All 82 area codes across 36 states will be affected.