988 in Action

There are moments in life when everything can feel too heavy to carry alone. Stress piles up, grief lingers, worry takes over and suddenly it can feel like there is nowhere to turn. In those moments, having someone who will simply listen can make all the difference. That is where 988, the national suicide and crisis lifeline, comes in.  

Just as you would dial 911 for a fire, car accident or medical emergency, 988 is the place to turn when you or someone you love is in emotional distress, struggling with substance use or feeling overwhelmed and alone. 

Launched nationwide in 2022, 988 is a three-digit number available 24/7/365 by call, text or online chat. When you reach out to 988, you’re connected with a trained crisis counselor who will listen, de-escalate and help create a plan for getting you through your moment of crisis. Services are 100% confidential, free to everyone and in a language you can understand. 988 offers support in English and Spanish, as well as translation services in over 240 languages.   

988 isn’t just for suicide prevention. It’s for anyone who needs a safe space to talk. 

988 is for the college student stressed out about exams, for the mother struggling with postpartum depression and for widow in the thick of grief. You don’t have to wait to call 988 until your situation feels like an emergency. The 988 crisis team believes crisis to be self-defined. If you believe you’re experiencing a crisis, so do they. 

Over its three-year existence, 988 has fielded millions of calls, texts and chats. In its first year alone, 988 contacts jumped more than 35%, with millions of people reaching out for help they may never have sought otherwise. 

988 is about more than crisis response; it’s about prevention and connection. By giving people an easy, three-digit number to remember that works the same way everywhere in the country, support is just as accessible for mental health as it is for emergency fire, police or medical care. 

Across the country, 988 has served as a turning point in people’s lives. Some call after weeks of carrying silent anxiety to find relief in having someone finally listen. Others share that a compassionate counselor helped them see options they couldn’t see alone. Still others reach out on behalf of a loved one, finding reassurance and guidance in knowing how to support someone they care about. 

For Debbie in Missouri, 988 has been a lifesaving experience twice. The first time she dialed, she was in the midst of a suicide attempt. Her call was re-routed to 911, and first responders were able to reach her in time. The second time, she reached out to 988 not in the middle of a crisis, but because she needed help connecting to ongoing support services. In both moments, Debbie found the right help when she needed it most. She credits 988 with saving her life twice, and with giving her hope for what comes next. 

When you call 988, you’re connected to real help close to home. The line is geolocated, which means you’ll speak with someone in your state who understands local resources and can guide you toward support and services nearby if you elect to receive them.  

Sometimes the most powerful step is saying, “I need help,” and knowing someone will answer.