Jacksonville mental health professionals are applauding today’s rollout of a national three-digit mental health crisis hotline — 988 — saying it will save lives. Local counselor Desiree Jones says that for people in crisis, remembering 988 will be much easier than the old 800 hotline number. Jones was among several mental health professionals who met with Jacksonville youth during a 988 wellness event on Friday. Ten Duval County 15- to 19-year-olds died by suicide in 2020, the highest rate this century.
