People Can Call, Text 988 to Receive Free Mental Health Support
The 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline short code is now widely available for dialing through landlines, cellphones and voice-over-internet devices in the United States. This new three-digit number makes it easier for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress to connect with trained mental health counselors in real-time.
In 2020, Congress designated the 988 dialing code to be operated through the existing Lifeline and set a goal date of July 16, 2022, for it to be available nationwide. UScellular activated 988 dialing in 2020 and added texting functionality in 2022.
The importance of having the 988 number available during September’s National Suicide Prevention Month cannot be overstated. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the U.S. had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes in 2020. For people ages 10 to 34 years, suicide is a leading cause of death. From April 2020 to 2021, more than 100,000 individuals died from drug overdoses.
“Suicide is a serious public health crisis that impacts people of all ages, so ensuring this service was available for our customers was a priority,” said Narothum Saxena, vice president of technology strategy and architecture at UScellular and executive sponsor of the company’s associate resource group focused on mental health awareness. “By making it easier and faster to access help at critical times, our hope is that those in need take advantage of the mental health support available, and more lives can be saved.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, now called the 988 Crisis and Suicide 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, seven days a week across the U.S. Lifeline calls are routed to the nearest crisis center, and there is no cost for dialing the number.
SAMHSA, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs worked to make 988 a reality, which 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, mental health or substance use crisis or any other kind of emotional distress. People also can dial or text 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.