Two years after the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, experts say it’s not reaching everyone who needs help. Just 13% of adults have heard of it, according to Pew Research.
Via call, text or chat, the free service provides a direct connection to professional counseling for any individual experiencing mental health distress, including suicidal thoughts and substance use.
The Need for 988
Mental health conditions are often stigmatized, and living with depression or anxiety can make it difficult to invest in relationships. Those most in need of help may not have a friend or family member to call when life seems hopeless. Lack of social connections, physical disability, degenerative illness and living in a rural area are all are risk factors for suicide. They are also barriers to getting help, but they don’t have to be.
If more people in crisis knew they could get support from a trained counselor, without facing stigma or the fear of burdening a loved one, fewer people would resort to self-harm. Since its launch, 988 has been contacted 10 million times, but experts say it’s still underused.
Suicide claimed the lives of 49,449 Americans in 2022, the most recent year for which CDC data are available and the first year of the hotline’s operation.
Disparities in Funding Create Uneven Access
“We desperately need more resources and funding for suicide prevention,” said Lauren Grawert, MD, FASAM, a psychiatrist from Virginia. “For the past two years, the federal government has put forth approximately $1 billion to fund 988, but when that seed money is gone, it will be up to the states to sustain the resource.”
Just 10 states currently fund 988’s services with a surcharge paid by cellular phone customers. This means some states’ programs have robust funding and others lag; some Americans are left with fewer options in times of crisis.
That disparity has a tangible outcome on callers seeking help. In Nevada, for example, just two thirds of calls were answered by a trained counselor, as compared to nearly every call in Montana and Rhode Island.
Maximizing the Impact of 988
Addressing these disparities will require additional funding and coordination. Localized efforts and incremental improvements are underway to integrate 911 and 988 responses, and to ensure mobile contacts are routed by the caller’s location. Likewise, more awareness efforts are necessary to increase the likelihood that people will know to call, text or chat 988 in their time of need.
Suicide remains among the leading causes of death for children and young adults, ages 10-34. People in this age group also text far more than they call, making the digital reach of 988 particularly worthy of investment.
Policymakers should promote greater public awareness and equitable funding across all states. Doing so will help expand the reach of 988 to provide the essential support when seconds count.
If you are in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Professional crisis counselors are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Lifeline provides confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Live chat is also available at 988lifeline.org. Para ayuda en Español, llame al 988.