Starting July 16, 2022, our nation’s new mental health emergency number will be 988.

What is 988?

In 2020, Congress designated 988 as the new dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) network of local call centers, which are staffed by trained crisis counselors. 988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible support for anyone experiencing mental health related distress, including thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need these types of crisis supports.

Why do we need 988? 

There are urgent realities driving the need for crisis service transformation. Simply put, too many people living in the U.S. are experiencing suicidal cries or mental health related distress without the support and care they need. And, sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has only made a bad situation worse when it comes to mental health and wellness in America. In 2020 alone, the U.S. had one death by suicide every 11 minutes—and for people aged 10-34 years, suicide is a leading cause of death. Additionally, from April 2020-April 2021, over 100,000 individuals died from drug overdoses in the U.S. 

What is the vision for 988?

In the short-term, the goal is to strengthen and expand the current Lifeline call center infrastructure and capacity to ensure trained crisis counselors are available to quickly respond to 988 via call, text, or chat. In the longer term, the vision is to build a robust crisis response system across the country that links callers to community-based providers who can deliver a full range of crisis care services, if needed (like mobile crisis teams or stabilization centers). This more robust system will be essential to meeting crisis care needs across the nation.

(SAMHSA)

Read SAMHSA’s FAQs about 988 here: https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/

Watch news coverage from ABC8 on 988 featuring PRS’ CrisisLink’s Senior Director, Laura Clark: “Is Virginia ready for 988 mental health crisis line?” by Jackie DeFusco

Press Inquiries: Lauren Padgett, Director of Resource Development, 703-531-6351; lpadgett@prsinc.org