The Answering the Call Act of 2026 amends federal law to increase outreach to first responders about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, known as the 9-8-8 hotline. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct awareness campaigns targeting law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and dispatchers, addressing barriers like stigma and privacy concerns that prevent them from using the service. The legislation requires the department to award grants for public awareness campaigns integrated into first responder training programs, collect data on hotline usage by first responders while protecting privacy, and develop specialized training for hotline counselors on trauma-informed care specific to this population. The bill also establishes a three-year pilot program involving collaboration between federal health agencies and first responder organizations, with a report to Congress required within three years of enactment. No specific funding amounts are specified in the legislation.
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