Suicide prevention hotline expands hours

BOISE - The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, Idaho's only statewide suicide prevention hotline, expanded its hours this week to include Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Previously, calls from Idahoans to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on Fridays were outsourced to hotlines in other states. With the addition of more trained Volunteer Phone Responders, the Idaho Hotline now has staffing to operate 5 days per week.

On evenings and weekends calls to 1-800-273-TALK (8255) continue to be answered by trained volunteers in other states.

"We are very excited and pleased at the success of our first two volunteer recruitment and training cycles; the Hotline is incredibly fortunate to have attracted a wonderful group of 40 individuals committing their time and energy to help address the critical problem of suicide in Idaho," said John Reusser, director of the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline.