The National Suicide Prevention Hotline Number Is 988

Mental Health

Sep 8

By Hanna Blankenship

What is 988?

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is the new and revised program adopted from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. After contacting 9-8-8, trained crisis counselors will be available 24/7 through call, text, and chat to provide immediate support for those who are experiencing suicide, sustenance use, or any other mental health or emotionally distressing crisis. People can also call the crisis lifeline on behalf of a loved one who may need support. The 1-800-273-8255 number (previously the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is still active and will connect to the 9-8-8 crisis call centers.

Why is it important?

Numerous studies have shown that most Lifeline callers are less depressed, suicidal, and overwhelmed after being connected to the crisis Lifeline. It also provides an alternative to local law enforcement who often are not heavily trained in mental health crises and may not have the necessary training to de-escalate and identify mental health crises. This also helps reduce the overburdened and overwhelmed 911 system and helps law enforcement allocate their time and resources to situations that truly need police response. Lastly, with a simple number, the hope is that 988 will be easier to remember, and the go-to number for crisis care

Is it confidential/safe to use?

Yes, the Crisis Lifeline is confidential and people contacting 988 are not required to provide any personal data to receive services. Any data provided will be protected and not sold, and any demographic information collected will be used to 1) save lives; 2) connect people to ongoing support; and 3) evaluate system needs and performance, particularly ensuring that gaps and inequities are being addressed. A small percentage of Lifeline calls are required to be referred to 911 when there is an imminent risk to someone’s life that cannot be eliminated by a Lifeline call. Only information that is crucial to saving the caller’s life will be shared with 911.

988 In Vermont

Callers in Vermont who dial 988 will be connected with in-state operators when available
Chats and texts sent to the Lifeline are routed through the national network and responded to by any available counselor (as the implementation of chat and text features at Vermont Lifeline Centers is still developing)
Data from April 2022, shows that 82% of calls are answered by Vermont Lifeline Centers.
Vermont has two Certified Lifeline Centers that are staffed and run by two designated agencies: the Northeast Kingdom Human Services and Northwestern Counseling and Support Services.
Vermont Lifeline counselors are trained to reduce stress, provide emotional support, and connect you with anyone in distress to local resources.
Vermont’s Lifeline Centers are backed up by neighboring states and the national network (if a local center isn’t immediately available, the individual will be routed quickly to another counselor)

Learn More

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/07/14/suicide-hotline-988/

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/faqs

https://988lifeline.org

https://bja.ojp.gov/doc/how-to-use-988-to-respond-to-behavioral-health-crisis-calls.pdf

https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/sites/mentalhealth/files/doc_library/VT_988_Partner_Handout_0.pdf

https://vthelplink.org/app/aboutus

Additional crisis hotlines and information

Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-958-5990)/Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746)

Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741)

National Grad Crisis Line (877- 472-3457)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (800- 662-4357)