You can call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free, live support if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other form of emotional distress.
The Lifeline has been around since 2005 at (800) 273-8255 (TALK) and you can still reach him at that number. The 988 number, which debuted in July 2022, just makes it easier to remember and call.
When you call 988, you will first hear a greeting message that will give you options to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line, access help in Spanish, or stay on the line while your call is routed to your local Lifeline crisis center -network. This is based on your area code.
If your local crisis center is unable to answer, your call will be routed to another Lifeline center. More than 210 independent, locally owned and operated crisis centers operate across the Lifeline network, and there are plans to expand and improve the network with the launch of 988.
Once your call is transferred, a trained advisor will answer the phone. They will listen, provide support and share resources as needed. Their main purpose is to support you in your moment of need.
If they feel you are in danger, the counselor may discuss transferring you to local emergency services, such as 911, but first they will do everything they can to help you with a less invasive plan to keep you safe. Less than 2% of Lifeline calls involve local emergency services, and more than half of those require caller consent.
If you prefer to chat with a counselor on a computer, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat. The Lifeline has been offering online chat services since 2013 added Spanish-language text and chat services this year.
Before you start the chat, you’ll be asked to complete a short survey where you share a little about yourself, your biggest problem, and how you’re feeling. This allows your confidant to best support you from the start of your conversation. You’ll see a message while you wait for a crisis counselor to join your chat.
A confidential counselor will answer your chat as soon as it becomes available. They will ask you questions about your safety, feelings, social situation and whether you have suicidal thoughts. If necessary, the chat supervisor will draw up a safety plan with you or contact the local emergency services.
If there’s a long wait to chat with someone, you’ll get a message to let you know. While you wait, you can check out Lifeline resources online, linked on the chat page, or call 988 to speak to someone straight away. The chat’s busiest times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m Eastern.
Joyou can also text 988 from your mobile phone. A counselor from a Lifeline crisis center will respond. They may or may not be local. In the coming years, the text message service will expand to include more local crisis centers.
However you access 988, the goal is to relieve your stress and give you tools to make healthy choices.
988 does not just now for suicide problems. It is also a resource for anyone experiencing a crisis related to substance use or mental health, and for anyone concerned about a loved one who may need support.
“Anyone who is depressed, having a hard time, needs to talk or is thinking about suicide” can contact 988, he said. the Levenslijn website. The website states that advisors are “here to listen to you and support you through whatever difficult times you may face.”
Every time you contact 988, your calls, texts and chats are confidential. This means that your data will not be shared without your permission, unless the safety of you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Your chats with 988 are protected with the same data protection standards that major financial institutions use. Everything you type to a counselor is encrypted from your computer to theirs.
You donot must provide personal information to use 988. When someone asks you for personal information, it will only be used to connect you with ongoing support or to help Lifeline improve its services. Your information will never be sold.
The US government funds 988 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, making it free for everyone to use. Your telephone company may charge standard rates for texting and calling.
In the first full year since 988 launched its three-digit call and text number, advisors answered nearly 5 million calls, texts and online chats. That is almost 2 million more than the year before. Calls increased by 46%, chats by 141% and text messages by 1,135%.
The federal government has poured nearly $1 billion into strengthening and expanding the Lifeline network during the transition to 988. Most of the money went to states and territories to improve their local response as the number of calls and messages increased.
The nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation analyzed Lifeline data showed that overall response rates did indeed improve, with more calls, texts and chats answered and people waiting less time for a response.
The overall response rate increased from 70% in May 2022 to 93% in May 2023. The average wait time before launch went from 988 to 41 seconds in August 2023.
988 will soon include a videophone option for the deaf or hard of hearing.