(That is the national number. In Minnesota, you can also call: 612-379-6363.)

Everywhere in the US, I’m pretty sure, there is a crisis hotline someone can call if they feel totally desperate, perhaps ready to commit suicide. There is a national number but this number typically goes to a more local entity. In Minnesota, if you call the National Suicide Prefention Lifeline, the phone is answered by Minnesota’s own “Crisis Connection.”

Or, at least, it is now. But funding is running out. The Republican Legislature of our state has seen fit to leave funding for this important program out of their plans over the last year or two, so Crisis Connection is about to close down. This is the second or third time this has happened recently.

If you are a Minnesota Person, please call Representative Kelly Fenton (651-296-1147 Email: rep.kelly.fenton@house.mn) and Senator Karin Housley (651-296-4351 E-mail: sen.karin.housley@senate.mn), Republican leaders in charge of the committees in which a funding bill for Crisis Connection is now stuck.

The bills are House HF501, Senate SF776.

Here’s today’s quiz.

1) What percentage of suicides occur in less than 10 minutes after considering carrying out the act?

2) What percentage of suicidal individuals who get past an attempt or consideration of a suicide, and get help, ultimately survive?

We can discuss the answers to these questions in the comments, but I can tell you this. The numbers change dramatically when there is a suicide prevention hotline available.

• Without state funding, Crisis Connection will close, and phone calls will go unanswered or will be redirected to already overloaded law enforcement and hospital emergency rooms.

• Crisis Connection’s services are free, confidential, and easily accessible to all Minnesotans.

• Trained counselors triage, stabilize, and assist callers in reaching a place of emotional and physical safety 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

• All Minnesota calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are answered by Crisis Connection.

• All crisis counselors are certified in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).

• Since 1969, the Crisis Connection phone numbers have been a part of the culture of crisis support in the state, with calls coming from individuals, families, first responders, United Way 211, and 911 call operators. Since its inception, Crisis Connection has operated with no consistent revenue stream.