(AP Photo/Jim Cole/file) U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, Democrat of New Hampshire, hosted a virtual roundtable that featured local advocates and healthcare professionals discussing ways to bring down the high costs of prescription medications.

WASHINGTON–Today, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan marked the one year anniversary of the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline – which she helped establish and subsequently pushed to secure funding for – and encouraged Granite Staters to tell friends and family about the hotline. 9-8-8 also has a dedicated Veterans Crisis Line. Nearly 5 million calls, texts, and chats to 9-8-8 have been answered in the hotline’s first year.

“When someone is going through a severe mental health crisis, it is a matter of life or death to get them in contact with professionals in a quick and easy way,” Senator Hassan said. “It makes a tremendous difference to have to only press three buttons in order to get help. As we mark the one-year anniversary of the hotline, I encourage everyone to help spread awareness of this new life-saving resource, and I will continue working in the Senate to address the mental health crisis.”

To reach the hotline, dial 9-8-8, text 9-8-8, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. To reach the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 9-8-8 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net.