CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming is no longer the only state without its own suicide prevention call center.
The Central Wyoming Counseling Center launched the state’s first and only service Tuesday.
Wyoming has one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S. Wyoming residents previously were able to call national hotlines but counseling center CEO Kevin Hazucha says those answering don’t have important knowledge about the state.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports Wyoming has allocated $400,000 for the hotline for two years.
The suicide hotline will be staffed 40 hours a week but organizers hope to expand to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.