suicide hotline

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 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 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.

Hospitals in St. Petersburg and other parts of the U.S. are seeing more young people come in with suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, you can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The national crisis hotline was up and running Friday morning after being down for several hours Thursday. The telecommunications provider for the service says it experienced "an incident."

The money will pay for 10 staffers focused on handling 988 calls. Staff now are juggling those calls while also managing other helplines.

Mental health advocates say the numbers are encouraging, but there's more work to be done to build up state and local resources.

Some advocates are also concerned that 988 could incidentally increase the Baker Acting of children with autism and developmental disabilities.

Mayor Jerry Demings says the number should not only be easier for people to remember compared with the current 10-digit number, but will also offer expanded referrals to local treatment centers.