The 988 Suicide Hotline Has Launched, Here's What You Need to Know

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or having a mental health crisis, you can dial just three numbers -- 988 -- to get help.

The three-digit code for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline replaces the 10-digit number for what was formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Why this new line is crucial

The new three-digit number is easy to remember, free, available 24/7 and confidential, says Thea Gallagher, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health in New York City.

"If 988 becomes just as ubiquitous as 911, we are saying that mental health and physical health are on the same level, and that breaks stigma," she adds.

The need for such access and services has never been greater, Gallagher shares.

"With the ongoing pandemic, we have seen an increase in depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and behavior, so we know mental health has never been more negatively impacted," she notes.

In 2020, more than 47,000 Americans died by suicide, a 33% increase from 2000, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts.

In 2021, 3.6 million people reached out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Dani Bennett, a press officer at the SAMHSA, tells SELF.

For Blacks, in particular, suicide rates have continued to increase during the pandemic with notable celebrities such as former Miss USA and attorney Cheslie Kryst, 30; "Walking Dead" star Moses Moseley, 31; and Ian Alexander, Jr., 26, son of Regina King, all taking their lives.

“Over the last decade, suicide rates in the United States have increased dramatically among racial and ethnic minorities, and Black Americans in particular. Suicide deaths occur across the lifespan and have increased for Black youth, but the highest rate of death is among Black Americans aged 25-34 years of age.” Rheeda Walker, professor of psychology and director of the University of Houston’s Culture, Risk and Resilience Lab., says.

Trained counselors will save lives

The new hotline will provide necessary updates to the services currently provided by the 1-800 number. The services provided by 988 will be “distinct from the public safety purposes of 911,” which are focused on dispatching fire, police, and EMS as needed. The main focus of the hotline will be to have trained experts respond to mental health emergencies rather than law enforcement who may be unfamiliar with the proper protocols to take when approaching suicidal individuals.

“There’s a very small window between when somebody has the urge and actually acts on the urge. You’ve got to act quickly,” Marianne Goodman, MD, says. “You really need people who have an elevated level of expertise.”

Counselors answering calls for 988 will be trained to stay calm while working with people having suicidal thoughts, and to engage them in conversation. They will also be trained to make decisions about when an in-person response is needed versus when a caller can benefit from guidance given over the phone. suicide hotline

For example, if a caller has a plan in place and the resources to execute the plan, an on-the-ground response may be needed. This is especially true if the caller has weapons such as a firearm in their possession.

However, if a caller has a plan that is more elaborate (involving many steps), the counselor may be able to intervene over the phone before the plan is successfully executed. suicide hotline

Another thing counselors will take into consideration is whether or not the caller's consciousness has been altered. Have they been drinking or taking drugs? These factors and more are important and will help them make quick decisions that can save lives.

Another benefit of the new number? It's much easier to remember, which will be crucial in a state of emergency.

“The traditional number is hard to remember. When we have a medical emergency, we immediately know 911,” Robert Gebbia, the chief executive officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, tells SELF. “This is similar. When there’s a mental health crisis, people will remember 988.”

The new number will also accept texts, and live chat is available, according to Dr. May Lau. She is a pediatrician at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the medical director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic at Children's Medical Center Dallas.

Crisis counselors speak multiple languages and are culturally competent at counseling members of the LGBTQ community. There are also resources available for people who are deaf or hearing-impaired, Lau adds.

"The text function is only in English for now, but most of the people who feel comfortable texting are younger, and many of them are bilingual," Lau notes.

The new line is not just for people who are contemplating suicide, either. Counselors are also skilled in discussing self-harm, addiction, domestic violence and other mental health issues. If a caller needs immediate medical attention, 988 will collaborate with local police or hospitals to dispatch services.

What happens when you dial 988?

Upon dialing 988, you will automatically be directed to a local crisis center, which is determined by your area code. If no one is available to take your call, you will be redirected to a backup crisis center where you'll be able to speak to a trained crisis counselor in either English or Spanish. Automated translation services for over 250 additional languages will also be available, according to press materials from SAMHSA.

Kinks to be worked out?

"We are trying to help people deal with crises before they become life-threatening," says Anthony Wood, interim CEO and COO of the American Association for Suicidology. The group has been calling for a three-digit suicide hotline for years.

And while a three-digit number is a big step forward, there are still some kinks to work out, Wood notes.

For starters, local crisis centers will need more counselors to handle the expected surge in calls, he shares.

“We think there will be an increase in call volume,” Gebbia says.

The SAMHSA predicts that the call volume will double within 12 months of the transition to 988.

"Member centers are gearing up for more volume and accountability to their communities, and while funding has been expanded, we are still in a situation where there are not enough dollars to cover the cost for every part of the country," Wood says. "Every state is struggling with how to fund the program."

The SAMHSA’s long-term vision for 988 is that it provides a nationwide crisis care system that can handle mental health emergencies without relying on police. The goal is to have crisis teams that know mental health practices, Gebbia explains. They will be able to tell when a suicidal person would receive better care at a mental health facility rather than with the emergency department.

The existing number, 1-800-273-8255, will still be available. When dialed, you will be directed to the 988 hotline.

By Jessica Daniels, BDO Staff Writer | Published July 18, 2022