988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis to call, text or chat online at 988lifeline.org. Calls may be responded to in English or Spanish. Text and online chat are currently only available in English.
People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is easy to remember, like 911, and offers a direct connection to trained crisis counselors who will offer compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress — including thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a substance use crisis or any other kind of behavioral health crisis. The counselor is part of a call center that is linked to a network of services, so the caller will be connected quickly with the right kind of help, from the right type of helper.
Find a full list of frequently asked questions about 988 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
How Does 988 Work?
988 was established in July 2022 to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country's growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. 988 provides easier access to behavioral health crisis services, which are distinct from the public safety purposes of 911 (where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police as needed).
911 continues to operate as it does across the state. For serious and life-threatening situations, 988 call centers work with local mental health providers to support appropriate interventions.
988 crisis counselors are trained to use the least invasive interventions. Oftentimes, responding to a call, text or chat is all that is needed to help someone in crisis. In fact, more than 95 percent of current calls are resolved over the phone.
If a 988 call cannot be resolved over the phone, a mobile crisis team or first responder may be dispatched.
Other important facts to know:
988 is available through every landline, cell phone and voice-over internet device in the United States, as well as text and chat.
The current technology for 988 routes callers by area code, not geolocation.
988 is not currently available when phones are locked or do not have prepaid minutes.
The transition to 988 does not impact the availability of crisis services for veterans and military service members. They can call 988 and press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.
For support in Spanish, callers can press 2 to connect with the Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio.
This content is adapted from: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/hsd/amh/pages/988.aspx
Retrieved: July 18, 2022