New 988 suicide prevention number is coming soon

For those who are dealing with a mental health crisis, help will soon be three digits away. Starting July 16, 2022, anyone in the U.S. can dial or text 988 and connect to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34.¹ For every one person who dies by suicide annually, 316 people seriously consider suicide but don’t take their own lives.²

Since the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline started in 2005, it has received over 20 million calls from people looking for support.

As part of their local communities, Lifeline centers have knowledge about local services and can provide referrals, if needed.

If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is just a phone call or text away. Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This longer number will still work after 988 launches nationally.

There is also an option to chat online with a crisis counselor through the Lifeline website.

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facts About Suicide (accessed May 11, 2022): https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html.
2 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Suicide Prevention By the Numbers (accessed May 11, 2022): suicidepreventionlifeline.org