988

Residents can make video calls with trained counselors who use American Sign Language by clicking on the "ASL Now" button on the website or by dialing 1-800-273-TALK.

For rural Americans, who live in areas often short of mental health services and die by suicide at a far higher rate than urbanites, the federally mandated crisis phone line is one of the few options to connect with a crisis counselor.

"I know it's complicated, I really do. But we have to be able to do something," says a Pasco County mom whose 21-year-old son shot himself a year ago.

“No one ever forgets 911. No one ever forgets 411. And now, no one will ever forget 988,” says one mental heath expert.

In the year since the 10-digit lifeline changed to 988, one South Florida nonprofit has seen a 50% increase in calls. Lack of affordable housing and the pandemic are among the drivers.

It's clear the suicide hotline, a network of more than 200 state and local call centers, faces challenges, including public mistrust and confusion. It’s also clear it needs federal and state funding to be sustainable.

The three-digit number was launched to make it easier for people in crisis to access help. Crisis Center CEO Clara Reynolds says the spike in calls suggests mental health challenges persist for many.

The three-digit suicide prevention lifeline went live a year ago. More work is needed on the 988 system, but the first year has gone more smoothly than many expected.

The attack occurred on the network for Intrado, the company that provides telecommunications services for the 988 helpline. The agency did not disclose details about who it believes launched the attack.

The three-digit suicide and crisis lifeline – 988 – fielded nearly half a million more calls, texts and chats in its first five months than the old 10-digit Lifeline did during the same time in 2021.