988 LIFELINE
On July 16, 2022, the U.S. transitioned to using the 988-dialing code, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen and expand the existing Lifeline.
988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it’s a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide or mental health. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Certified Lifeline Centers in Louisiana Louisiana has two certified Lifeline centers, the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling (LACG) and VIA LINK who are ready to respond to 988 calls. Both centers provide backup to each other to help ensure calls, chats, and texts are answered by an in-state Lifeline center with access to local resources. |
ABOUT THE LIFELINE
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, now known as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, is funded by SAMHSA and has been administered by Vibrant Emotional Health since it began in 2005.
The Lifeline is a national network of over 200 local, independent crisis centers equipped to help people in mental health related distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis via call, chat, or text. The Lifeline provides free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the U.S.
The Lifeline is a national network of over 200 local, independent crisis centers equipped to help people in mental health related distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis via call, chat, or text. The Lifeline provides free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the U.S.
FAQs
What Happens when I call 988?
When calling 988, callers first hear a greeting message while their call is routed to the local Lifeline network crisis center (based on the caller’s area code). A trained crisis specialist will answer the phone, listen to the caller, understand how their problem is affecting them, provide support, and share resources if needed. If the local crisis center is unable to take the call, the caller will be automatically routed to the other state backup crisis center. The Lifeline provides live crisis center phone services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages for people who call 988.
What happens when I chat via 988?
Chat (English only) is available through the Lifeline’s website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat. People seeking chat services will be provided a pre-chat survey before connecting with a specialist that identifies the main area of concern. If there is a wait to chat with a crisis specialist, a wait-time message will appear. If demand is high, individuals can access the Lifeline’s “helpful resources” while waiting or call 988. Once connected, a crisis specialist will listen to you, work to understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share resources that may be helpful.
What happens when I text 988?
Text (English only) is available through 988. When someone texts to 988, they will be responded to by a group of Lifeline crisis centers that respond to chat and text. This service will expand over the next few years to increase local and state level response. Once connected, a crisis specialist will listen to you, work to understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share resources that may be helpful.
How do 988 and 911 complement one another?
The 988 and 911 systems will need to be closely coordinated to seamlessly allow referral of contacts for appropriate care or responses that address the unique circumstances present with each crisis encounter. SAMHSA is actively engaged with 911 counterparts at the federal, state, and local levels to plan for a smooth coordination between the services.
For a full list of FAQs, visit www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/faqs
When calling 988, callers first hear a greeting message while their call is routed to the local Lifeline network crisis center (based on the caller’s area code). A trained crisis specialist will answer the phone, listen to the caller, understand how their problem is affecting them, provide support, and share resources if needed. If the local crisis center is unable to take the call, the caller will be automatically routed to the other state backup crisis center. The Lifeline provides live crisis center phone services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages for people who call 988.
What happens when I chat via 988?
Chat (English only) is available through the Lifeline’s website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat. People seeking chat services will be provided a pre-chat survey before connecting with a specialist that identifies the main area of concern. If there is a wait to chat with a crisis specialist, a wait-time message will appear. If demand is high, individuals can access the Lifeline’s “helpful resources” while waiting or call 988. Once connected, a crisis specialist will listen to you, work to understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share resources that may be helpful.
What happens when I text 988?
Text (English only) is available through 988. When someone texts to 988, they will be responded to by a group of Lifeline crisis centers that respond to chat and text. This service will expand over the next few years to increase local and state level response. Once connected, a crisis specialist will listen to you, work to understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share resources that may be helpful.
How do 988 and 911 complement one another?
The 988 and 911 systems will need to be closely coordinated to seamlessly allow referral of contacts for appropriate care or responses that address the unique circumstances present with each crisis encounter. SAMHSA is actively engaged with 911 counterparts at the federal, state, and local levels to plan for a smooth coordination between the services.
For a full list of FAQs, visit www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/faqs