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When Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, asked an intern to try calling 19 crisis numbers in Utah, only one immediately connected to a live counselor ready to help.

That number was the University of Utah's University Neuropsychiatric Institute. UNI also recently rolled out the SafeUT app, where Utahns dealing with mental or behavioral health crises can text in for help with suicidal thoughts, domestic abuse, rape or substance abuse.

The Salt Lake County Council has partnered with UNI to address the suicide epidemic in Utah, largely because of Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton's personal experience with the issue.

When her teenage son confided in her this summer that he was thinking of suicide, she realized she didn't know where to turn for help.

"I was mulling it over in my brain: 'Come on, you're on the County Council. You should know this stuff. We do mental health — that's one of the things that we do,'" said Newton at a council meeting Tuesday. "I didn't know who I should call to find out: what do you do in this situation?"

The council heard a presentation from Missy Larsen, of the Utah Attorney General's Office, and from Eliason, who plans to introduce legislation in the 2017 session creating a three-digit, state-wide crisis number to help combat suicide in Utah.

Utah, Eliason noted, has among the highest suicide rates in the country.

"It's a top five list that we do not want to be on," he said.

While teen suicide numbers in the state are leveling out, Eliason said, senior suicides are off the charts. Though an app like SafeUT may appeal to younger Utahns, he reasons an easy-to-remember phone number will more likely get help to a broader population.

"You don't need health insurance to access this. You don't have to be close by a provider. You could be down in [the] four corners [area] — it's available 24/7, 365 [days]," Eliason said.

"And completely anonymous," chimed in Larsen. "That is getting people to call or to text in because they can give their real feelings."

Many of those reaching out for help are talking to someone about their thoughts for the first time.

"It's not uncommon for [crisis counselors] to answer a call and for there to be silence on the other end of the line," Eliason said. "They don't even know where to start, but that's usually the beginning of getting them hope."

Eliason said he'll be seeking an appropriation from the Legislature, though no amount was mentioned. He said in his experience carrying several suicide-prevention bills, Utah lawmakers are highly committed to these issues.

Winder-Newton says the only push-back she's encountered is concern over the council's original suggestion to use 311 as the crisis number, as it's already being used by Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams and Provo City leaders in Provo City for municipal-services calls.

The council will explore alternatives, but will consider 311 if it is the best available option.

"Do you want to save lives or fill potholes?" Winder-Newton