988 Resources: Help, Text, and Online Options
988 is the U.S. three-digit number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, created to make it easier to get immediate support for suicidal thoughts, mental health crises, or substance-use-related distress. This article summarizes how to get help by phone, text, and online, what to expect when you reach out, and additional resources for ongoing support.
Who should use 988
- Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress.
- Friends or family concerned about someone in crisis.
- People needing guidance for substance-use-related emergencies or mental health concerns.
Phone: Calling 988
- Availability: ⁄7 nationwide.
- What happens when you call: You’ll be routed to your nearest Lifeline center where trained counselors provide confidential support, safety planning, and referrals to local services. Calls are free.
- When to call: If you feel unsafe, are thinking about harming yourself, or need immediate emotional support.
Text: 988 Lifeline via SMS
- How to text: Text 988 (or follow the platform prompt if local texting is routed through a different short code).
- What to expect: Trained crisis counselors will respond by text. Texting is helpful when calling isn’t possible or comfortable. Response times vary but are prioritized based on urgency.
- Tips for texting: Be clear about your needs, location, and whether you’re safe now; specify if you prefer resources or immediate de-escalation.
Online: Chat and Web Resources
- Lifeline chat: The 988 Lifeline provides an online chat option at the official lifeline website (search “988 Lifeline chat” to access the chat interface). Chat connects you to a trained counselor similar to phone/text services.
- Websites & directories: State and local behavioral health agencies maintain directories for crisis centers, mobile crisis teams, and outpatient services. National organizations (e.g., NAMI, SAMHSA) offer guides, toolkits, and local referral finders.
- Immediate tools: Many websites offer safety planning templates, coping skill lists, and grounding exercises you can use right away.
What to expect from crisis counselors
- Nonjudgmental listening and emotional support.
- Assessment of immediate risk and collaborative safety planning.
- Referrals to local services (therapists, hospitals, mobile crisis units) and follow-up resources.
- Confidentiality: counselors maintain privacy, though limits apply if there’s imminent danger requiring emergency services.
If you’re calling for someone else
- Be ready to share observable behaviors, any threats or actions, and the person’s location. Counselors can guide you through de-escalation, contacting emergency services, and next steps.
When to use emergency services instead
- If someone is in immediate danger, unresponsive, or has already attempted to harm themselves, call local emergency services (911 in the U.S.) right away.
Additional resources and next steps
- Local mental health clinics and community health centers for ongoing care.
- Primary care providers for referrals and medication management.
- Peer-support groups and nonprofit organizations for education and community support.
- Crisis stabilization units and mobile crisis teams for in-person evaluation.
Safety planning (short template)
- Warning signs: (e.g., isolating, hopeless thoughts)
- Coping strategies: (e.g., breathing exercises, grounding)
- People/contacts for distraction/support: (friends, family)
- Professional contacts: (therapist, local crisis line)
- Environment: steps to make your space safer (remove means of self-harm)
Final note
If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out now—call or text 988 or use the Lifeline chat for immediate, trained support.