The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline successfully transitioned to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on Saturday, July 16. As expected, volume over the transition week increased substantially.
Full data for July will be available at the start of August in the form of monthly reporting. In the meantime, here are some high-level points:
- Over the period Thursday, July 14-Wednesday, July 20 (transition week), the Lifeline received over 96,000 calls, text, and chats.
- This is in comparison to over 66,000 the week before.
- This is an approximately 45% increase in volume between the transition week and the previous week.
- It is an approximately 66% increase in volume compared to the same week in 2021.
Vibrant will continue to collaborate with SAMHSA and HHS to ensure the 988 Lifeline provides the best life-saving support possible. We welcome the chance to provide regular monthly reports for July when the month is completed.
The Lifeline and 988
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
The Lifeline’s network of over 200 crisis centers has been in operation since 2005, and has been proven to be effective. It’s the counselors at these local crisis centers who answer the contacts the Lifeline receives every day. Numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor.
Answer the call! These centers are looking to bring on new volunteers and paid employees. You will receive training, so if you are a caring person who wants to help those in crisis, apply today. Find your opportunity: samhsa.gov/988-jobs
For ways to support your local Lifeline network crisis center, visit our Crisis Centers page here.
To learn about the impact of the Lifeline, visit our new By the Numbers page.
To learn about what happens when you call, text, or chat with the Lifeline, click here.
To learn more about the history of 988, visit here.
To learn how Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administrator of the Lifeline, has been supporting states’ implementation planning for 988 through grants, check here.
If you’re a Veteran, Service Member or loved one and want to know more about how 988 will affect the Veterans Crisis Line, click here.
Support the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline receives more than 3.6 million calls across the United States. Your generosity provides support for 988, the 988 Lifeline’s new access code, and helps us strengthen our growing infrastructure. Contributions also support 988 Lifeline callers and resources to change the conversation around suicide prevention.
Calls to the 988 Lifeline are answered by a national network of local crisis centers. Crisis center counselors are the heroes of the 988 Lifeline and need your help. Click here to learn how to support your local center or find your center with the map below.
If you would like to donate by check, please make your check payable to Vibrant Emotional Health and mail it to:
Vibrant Emotional Health
ATTN: Development
50 Broadway, Floor 19
New York, NY 10004
For further questions, please contact the Development team at [email protected] or call (212) 614-6315.
Interested in supporting emotional recovery for people affected by disaster? Donate to the national Disaster Distress Helpline, a subnetwork of the 988 Lifeline.
