In June 2019, CNN.com reported that the suicide rate in the United States was the highest it has been since before World War II. This meant that something had to be done, something that would help change this pattern and give people a source of hope.

On July 1, California Senate Bill 972 went into effect requiring schools to include the Suicide Prevention hotline number on all school IDs for students in grades 7-12 and is also included on college ID cards.

Students might benefit from having this number readily available because they might not want to talk to counselors or adults when they need help. It is also possible that, when students are feeling tempted to commit suicide, they might be away from others and the number makes help available at their fingertips, unlike waiting for an appointment to meet with a counselor.

The numbers are printed on ID cards for easy access. The suicide prevention number is 800-273-8255. Students who might be uncomfortable talking on the phone can text HOME to 741741.