CHA News

FCC Designates 988 for National Suicide Prevention Hotline

For behavioral health directors

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules that established 988 as the nationwide three-digit phone number to connect Americans in crisis with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.   

All phone service providers are required to direct 988 calls to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022. During the transition period, Americans who need help should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling (800) 273-TALK or through online chats.

Veterans and U.S. service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing, chatting online, or texting 838255. The suicide prevention line is a network of 163 crisis centers that last year answered more than 2.2 million calls and 100,000 online chats.