988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Too often, 9-1-1 has been called to address a mental health crisis or threat of suicide. Starting July 16, 2022, 9-8-8 is the new three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas of the U.S. already connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will now be available to everyone across the United States.
The hope is to make it easier for people with mental health crises to call for help. Mental health advocates hope to make behavioral health care easily accessible everywhere in the United States.
For a person experiencing a mental health crisis, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts, a response by an armed police officer could potentially exacerbate, rather than calm the person. Trained mental health professionals can address crises and provide tools for those in need.
When people call, text, or chat 988, they connect with trained counselors in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These counselors will listen, try to understand the caller’s problems, provide support and connect them to resources if necessary.
The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally. Please help us get the word out by sharing this article with your social network.
