The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline has expanded its hours on Thursdays and Fridays to take calls until 1 a.m. The number to call is 1-800-273-TALK.

Idaho has the sixth-highest suicide rate in the nation, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in Idaho.

The suicide prevention hotline is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Trained responders staffing the hotline field calls from Idahoans who are in crisis or suicidal and connect them with key resources in their local communities.

The hotline also offers follow-up calls to individuals seeking help.

"We are excited to expand hours now as the holidays can be an especially difficult time for people," said John Reusser, executive director of the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline. "Thanks to the support of all Idahoans we remain ahead of schedule in progressing toward our goal of round-the-clock coverage before the end of next year."

The hotline plans to add weekends and additional 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. shifts in 2014 when its next groups of volunteers are trained. When the hotline isn't operating, calls to its number are answered by crisis centers in other states.

The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline provides callers with emotional support, assessment of suicide risk, crisis intervention to those in imminent danger, linkages to local services and follow-up for those who exhibit suicide risk factors.

ISPH trains volunteers - laypersons and professionals - to become trained crisis phone workers. Volunteers undergo 32 hours of training and apprenticeship and commit to one 4.5-hour hotline shift per week for one year. To learn more visit the ISPH webpage or www.facebook.com/idahosuicideprevention.