JEFFERSON CITY — Starting July 16, 2022, 988 will become the national three-digit dialing code for all mental health, substance use, and suicide-related crises. 988 calls will be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline centers in each state, transitioning from the current Lifeline number, 1-800-273-8255.
When someone calls, chats, or texts 988, they can expect to be connected to a crisis specialist who is trained and prepared to deliver support to anyone experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicide crisis.
The intervention may include assessment, triage, stabilization, referral, and potentially follow-up for individuals at high risk for suicide and/or poor mental health outcomes.
If a higher level of care is needed, the crisis specialist will work with the caller and other supports to connect them to a mobile crisis response team to respond to the person in the community where they are.