Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden wants to establish a 3-digit suicide hotline.
The dedicated line would be answered by trained operators who can help people in crisis.
Wyden met with high school students in Eugene Tuesday to get their input on suicide prevention and mental health.
“My sense is that what we really need is what amounts to a revolution in mental health services in schools. Because our schools do a good job with the limited resources they have. But, it’s kind of a crazy quilt sort of system.”
The statewide Breaking the Silence reporting project found 800 Oregonians die by suicide annually. It also found an increase in suicide nationwide over the past decade.
Wyden cosponsored a bipartisan bill to establish the 3-digit suicide hotline. It would also create a veteran crisis line.
