The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
When individuals call, text or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to a trained crisis counselor who are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network made up of over 200 local crisis centers. These crises counselors are trained to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in the sucicidal crisis or emotional distress and connect them to available resources.
Studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking with a 988 Lifeline crisis counselor.
To text with a crisis counselor, send a text to 988 on your phone. To chat go to https://988lifeline.org/chat/
In addition, by pressing 1, callers are connected to the Veterans Crisis Line. A Spanish language line is available by pressing 2, and more than 240 languages are supported thought a tele-interpreters service. By pressing 3, callers now have the option of being connected to a crisis counselor specifically trained in supporting LGBTQI+ callers.
988 Lifeline is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). For more information https://988ga.org