All About the New 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline

Every 11 minutes, someone dies by suicide in the US, making suicide one of the leading causes of death among adolescents and young adults. On July 16th, a 3-digit shortcut will be implemented: Individuals can dial the number 988 to automatically be connected to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In this blog post, we’re discussing everything we know about this change as well as a few common concerns as its implementation date approaches.

A Step in the Right Direction

Up to this point, mental health crises have been addressed with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a standard 10-digit number that provides free and confidential support to those in distress. The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act is a federal legislation signed in 2020 that changed the way this crisis support resource can be accessed, making 988 the lifeline’s new universal dialing short-cut.

How It Will Work

Beginning July 16th, people will be able to call, text, or chat 988 and get connected to a trained counselor belonging to one of over 200 local crisis centers — the same counselors who maintain the existing lifeline. Available to anyone, this change reflects a shift toward universal, personal, and convenient access to mental health care, finally giving mental health emergencies the same urgency and concern as standard 911 emergencies.

Anticipating Challenges

The two most prominent issues that are expected to come with the expansion relate to funding and public awareness. Financing mental health services in the United States is already challenging, and increased access to the lifeline is going to demand more resources and a more robust infrastructure. The states now have the option to fund 988 with phone bill fees, but this revenue is only anticipated to cover part of the uptick in expenses, requiring additional funding sources.

Finally, for it to be successful, people need to know about the lifeline and feel comfortable enough to use it. Destigmatization of mental health care is going to play a crucial role in the impact of the lifeline. Schools, mental health programs, medical practices, and other organizations can all play a part in talking about mental health and showing people all of the ways they can get help.

Here at Wave Health, we’re committed to empowering patients to take control of their own health. Seeking help is a sign of strength — whether you’re battling a chronic health condition, mental illness, or other disability, we’re here for you.