A new mental health and crisis response hotline was launched in New Jersey Saturday.

The number 988 will now replace the National Suicide Prevention hotline

The nearly $30 million hotline comes with a network of regional call centers staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mental health advocates like Wendy Sefcik of the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council are pleased with the launch.

“I am so grateful to all of our legislators for understanding the need for 988 and really even more importantly, putting critical funding,” Sefcik said.

Mental healthcare say in the United States, one in four people struggle with a mental healthcare diagnosis and suicide is a leading cause of death in the country, with one death every 11 minutes.

Advocates hope the hotline will reduce those numbers down.

"Let this be the start of real change for a path of wellness for all those who struggle with mental health and may we look forward to a day when no more families join me as survivors of suicide loss," Sefcik said.