Two-Year Anniversary Of The 988 Suicide And Crisis Lifeline: Finding Critical Support
Hotlines can support people who are going through crises and experiencing difficult moments with their mental health. With lines dedicated to everything from substance use management to coping with postpartum depression, there are support options for a wide range of challenges. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is among the most prevalent and widely mentioned hotlines. For its second anniversary in 2024, learn how this hotline has supported people nationwide and how it was founded. Please keep in mind that although the Lifeline can support individuals in moments of crisis, it can be important to address long-term mental health through therapy with a licensed professional.
Celebrating two years of crisis support: The 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline
In 2022, the Lifeline was changed to 988 to make the number easier for those in crisis to call or text. The hotline is administered by Vibrant Emotional Health and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Individuals can continue to call the previous hotline number at 1-800-273-8255 if they prefer.
The purpose of the Lifeline is primarily to support those in crisis, whether they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, a plan to commit suicide, substance use challenges, mania, psychosis, or another mental health crisis.
Individuals calling the line are frequently offered resources and guidance based on the information they provide. People can also text or chat with the Lifeline through its website.
Individuals can press one to be connected to the Veterans Crisis Line or two to be connected with a Spanish speaker or use an interpreter service to receive care in over 240 languages. Callers can press three to speak with a crisis counselor who has been trained in supporting LGBTQIA+ callers.
July 16th, 2024 is the second anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline being switched over from the previous 10-digit suicide hotline. Understanding the unique impacts this hotline has had on communities nationwide can lead to further suicide prevention and intervention efforts, as well as knowledge regarding how to seek support if you or a loved one experiences a suicidal crisis.
The beginning of the 988 Lifeline
The 988 Lifeline was developed in 2001 as the National Suicide Prevention Line to offer support and mental health crisis services to those in emotional distress. Congress funded the line to address a rising suicide epidemic in the country, and SAMHSA funded the line to ensure crisis centers could handle the call volume of individuals seeking support.
The hotline officially started taking calls in 2004, and in 2005, it received 46,000 calls. The Spanish version of the hotline and the Veterans Crisis Line were added in 2006 and 2007, and the chat version became available online in 2013 to support those who were unable to call in or did not want to do so.
In 2016, the Lifeline was officially added to Google as a front-page result when individuals searched for “suicide” or related terms. In 2018, the Senate passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which was updated in 2019 and 2020. This bill started the development of the 988 Lifeline, which was officially launched and advertised nationwide in 2022 as a service for emotional support.
The law now also requires the hotline to ensure there are competent, specialized services for high-risk populations, such as those in the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC individuals, and those in rural areas.
By 2020, the Lifeline offered free and support via over 3.3 million calls, chats, and texts yearly, growing substantially since its development. On July 16th, 2022, the hotline was officially labeled the national number for mental health crisis-related calls and texts. In 2024, the 988 Lifeline has over 200 crisis centers around the US in its national network, taking calls, texts, and chats dedicated to this cause. The number of contacts in 2023 was five million.
Are suicide hotlines effective?
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the US. Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, and there were an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts.
Suicide can be seen as an epidemic, and preventing this cause of death has become a national issue. Awareness, open conversation, and destigmatization can serve as significant steps toward supporting individuals in crisis.
However, some may wonder whether the 988 Lifeline is effective and how it can benefit individuals who use it.
The 988 Lifeline offers data on its performance metrics each month. In May of 2024, the hotline supported over 610,000 contacts, with an average conversation time of 22 minutes.
According to the website, less than two calls out of 100 led to a referral to emergency services, showcasing that the hotline can successfully deescalate crises. Serving over 23 million people in distress in two years, the Lifeline has been available to a significant number of Americans and those living in the US. Individuals can examine more data by reviewing the state reports for all 50 states on the 988 website.
How crisis services and hotlines can benefit society
The 988 Lifeline offers various benefits to society and the individuals who use it, including those discussed below.
Suicide prevention and education
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), suicide prevention efforts can significantly reduce suicidal behaviors and reduce emergency room visits for mental health-related crises. The 988 Lifeline is now considered a national hotline by law, and government-led efforts to spread awareness of the Lifeline, as well as funding from SAMHSA, have contributed to increased visibility online and around the country through posters, flyers, and community resources and health centers.
When more people know about available resources, they can use them and get timely help. In addition, the recognition of these services in communities can decrease the potential shame associated with accessing them.
Saving lives
Studies have found that suicide hotlines can significantly reduce distress and suicidality in callers, and these effects can last for approximately two to three weeks after the call takes place.
The same study reported a 43% decrease in distress after a call, showing that people often find hotlines effective in relieving crisis states. Although updated evidence may be beneficial, older hotline studies have found that 33% to 42% of callers follow through with a referral to talk to a mental health professional in their area after the call. Having someone who can talk with them and offer resources when a person is experiencing distress can help them take the steps to support themselves. The crisis counselor may stay on the line while the person searches for suicide prevention resources and evaluates the options in their area.
Social support
Loneliness tends to be a significant cause of suicidality. Living alone and having a lack of emotional support can be predictors of suicide and self-harm. In general, humans need social connections for mental and physical well-being. Calling a hotline and talking to a real person can offer a sense of safety and belonging.
An empathetic, calm, and kind crisis counselor can guide people through their feelings while offering validation, support, and solidarity. In some cases, a person may call to talk to someone about their thoughts, not necessarily to receive advice or resources. For some people, venting may be enough to cope with challenging feelings.
Finding long-term support
Crisis hotlines like the 988 Lifeline are primarily meant to provide short-term support to people living with crises like suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and severe emotional pain. People may call 988 as many times as they wish. However, the counselors on this hotline are not trained to offer therapy or personalized long-term support to help people overcome crisis situations. They may refer you to support options in your area, but they may not be aware of all available options.
If you’re not sure where to seek help, you might consider online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. Although online therapy platforms are not crisis services or emergency solutions, they can empower you to meet with a licensed therapist weekly through video conference, phone call, or online chat. In addition, online platforms allow you to attend group sessions and use journaling prompts and worksheets to enable you further to work through mental health challenges.
Studies show that online therapy can be a helpful treatment for conditions involving suicidal thoughts, such as depressive disorders. In a 2020 meta-analysis of 17 studies, online therapy appeared to be more effective than in-person options for depression treatment.
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