By Erin Massey, LCSW
In July of this year, the United States transitioned the previous 10 digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to an easier to remember three-digit number, 988. This new three-digit number is meant to be an important step that America is taking towards trying to transform our crisis care system in the United States. Statistically speaking, a study in 2020 found that someone died by suicide every 11 minutes in the United States and suicide it the leading cause of death for adolescents and adults 10 to 34 years of age.
Started in 2001, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides crisis intervention services to individuals via phone, text and chat to support confidential support to individuals in mental health and suicidal crises. It is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week services. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is comprised of over 200 local, state, and independent centers around the country that are staffed by trained crisis counselors to assist individuals in crisis who contact the Lifeline. It is also a service that is able to support local crisis centers in answering phone calls or texts. The line can be contacted for any crisis including suicidal thoughts, substance use, mental health crisis, and any other type of emotional distress. Individuals can also contact 988 if they need guidance in being able to help a loved one who may be in crisis.
Though 988 is the new crisis line number, the old 1-800-273-TALK lifeline will still remain active as well. Please help spread the word to others that this number has transitioned, and that this is an option for those in need of crisis support.