3 Years of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: What’s Next?

In July 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline changed its phone number from 10 digits to a three-digit code, and its name to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The easy-to-remember number was designed to ensure that people experiencing suicidal crises and behavioral health emergencies had quick and simple access to care.

In the three years since that change, 988 has had a measurable impact: more than 16 million contacts have been made. That’s almost six times more contacts than the previous suicide lifeline received between 2017 and 2021. Wait times for callers have decreased each year as the infrastructure around 988 has become more robust. And callers have reported feeling more hopeful after connecting with trained professionals.

But there’s more work to do when it comes to ensuring people in need of mental health support are connected to the care they need.

Survey data shows that most people in the U.S. still haven’t heard of the Lifeline and default to calling 911 in a behavioral health emergency—even though most 911 call centers lack the resources to handle these crises, according to prior research by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Strengthening coordination between 988 call centers and traditional emergency response services like 911 is critical to ensure that people get timely support. Today, state and county leaders are increasingly working to enhance collaboration between 988 and 911 centers, which will help individuals receive appropriate care regardless of which number they dial.

Expanding opportunities to connect to care

In addition to patients calling or texting 988, health care systems play an important role in identifying people experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Research shows that nearly half of people who die by suicide see a health care professional in the month before their death. Health care providers can use these interactions to identify people at risk for suicide and connect them to care.

Universal suicide screening—where all patients are asked about suicidal thoughts or behaviors regardless of why they’re seeking care—has been shown to identify more people who may be experiencing suicide risk than the common current practice of screening only patients seeking care for behavioral health conditions. Hospitals and health systems can help save lives by adopting universal screening.

Julie Wertheimer directs research and policy for The Pew Charitable Trusts’ mental health and justice partnerships project. Kristen Mizzi Angelone directs Pew’s suicide risk reduction project.