Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In 2020, Congress designated 988 as a new three-digit dialing, texting, and chat code for direct connection to compassionate, accessible support for anyone experiencing substance use issues, a suicidal crisis, or mental health-related distress. CARF proudly joins the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and more than 250 organizations collaborating as promoters of the 988 Messaging Framework.
988 Fast Facts
(source: 988 Messaging Framework)
- 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365, connecting those experiencing a crisis with a network of trained crisis counselors located throughout the U.S.
- Access is available through every landline, cell phone, and voice-over-internet device in the nation.
- 988 call services are available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in multiple languages. Text and chat are currently available in English only.
988’s implementation will strengthen and expand the current lifeline call-center infrastructure and capacity to ensure that trained crisis counselors are available via call, text, and chat. A long-term goal of 988 is building a robust nationwide crisis response system that links callers to community-based providers that can deliver a full range of crisis care services (e.g., mobile crisis teams or stabilization centers), if needed.
CARF strongly supports this effort to streamline access to assistance. This change is the direct result of work by a vast array of stakeholders recognizing the need for lifesaving action, culminating in a strong federal response to suicide.
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention is supported by CARF President/CEO Brian J. Boon, who serves on its Executive Committee, and Senior Managing Director, Behavioral Health, Michael Johnson.
