HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on July 14 passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Tarah Probst that would promote increased awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“Mental health challenges don’t discriminate. They affect our children, veterans, first responders and families in every corner of the commonwealth. We owe it to them to make sure the 988 lifeline isn’t just available, it’s visible," said Probst, D-Monroe/Pike. 

“Too many Pennsylvanians, especially in rural and underserved communities, still don’t know that help is just a call or text away by dialing 988 to speak to a trained counselor 24 hours a day,” she said.

The legislation would create a public education campaign within the PA Department of Human Services to increase public understanding and engagement with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Probst said the public education campaign would include advertising in multiple languages to meet the diverse community needs of Pennsylvania residents. In addition, the campaign would provide information about the warning signs of suicide and preventative measures.

The department would need to file an annual report outlining its efforts to increase awareness.

House Bill 564 moves to the state Senate for consideration.