Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Seth Moulton spoke with veterans during a campaign stop on April 23 in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — North Shore Congressman Seth Moulton is joining with Republican colleagues to call for designating "988" as the universal telephone number for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system.
Moulton, a Democrat, introduced the bill, The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, alongside Republican Rep. Chris Stewart Tuesday.
"What I propose is to have one single nationwide hotline for anyone who has a mental health issue, whether it's someone contemplating suicide or just needing to talk to someone because of post-traumatic stress like I've talked about myself," Moulton told WBZ NewsRadio. "There's one number that everybody can remember to dial to get help, to immediately be able to speak with a professional."
The congressman said the number would be like a "911" system for anyone dealing with mental health issues.
"Just like you feel perfectly fine walking into an emergency room with a physical emergency, you should be able to get help immediately, without fear, if you have a mental injury as well," Moulton said.
Rep. Moulton said the bill has bipartisan support and fifty co-sponsors. Several organizations, including the American Association of Suicidology, Association for Behavioral Health & Wellness, and National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention have also endorsed it.
Hear WBZ NewsRadio's Art Cohen's full interview with Moulton below.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App
WBZ NewsRadio's Art Cohen (@artcohenboston) reports