What is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline? 

In July of 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline transitioned to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: a simple, three-digit number designed to be as familiar and accessible as 911. This change marked a significant step forward in behavioral health crisis response, providing 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors by phone, text, or chat and helping connect people to support more quickly than ever before. 

What Has 988 Accomplished? 

According to poll data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, awareness of 988 is at an all-time high. Roughly 74% of Americans have at least heard of 988, with 28% of people indicating they are familiar with the service. Now entering its fourth year, 988 has become a critical component of the nation’s behavioral health crisis response system, connecting millions of people to support during moments of need.  Data published in KFF also reveals that demand for 988 continues to rise, with the volume of calls, texts, and chats 15% higher than a year earlier and nearly 50% higher than two years ago. The growth of 988 reflects both increasing public awareness and a growing willingness among individuals and families to seek help during behavioral health crises. The rise of contact volume year over year also underscores the need for strong crisis systems and community-based support services. 

From 2022 to 2025, 988 received over 16.5 million contacts including:  

• 11.1 million calls  
• 2.9 million text messages  
• 2.4 million chat messages   

Monthly contact volume has consistently exceeded 600,000, nearly double the pre-launch numbers. Wait times have dropped significantly too, with most callers reporting that they got some or all the help they needed.  

Challenges That Remain 

Despite this growth, awareness remains a challenge. According to the Pew Research Center, survey data found that most Americans still default to calling 911 during behavioral health emergencies, even though 911 centers often lack the resources to handle such crises effectively. Awareness challenges can be even greater among rural and historically underserved populations. Expanding culturally responsive crisis services and community outreach efforts can help ensure that individuals know where to turn during a behavioral health crisis and feel comfortable seeking support when they need it most. 

In July 2025, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) officially discontinued the “Press 3” option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Historically, this had provided specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth and counselors trained to understand the unique challenges related to identity, discrimination, and family rejection in response to a directive from the federal government. Despite the specific option being removed, 988 is still an available resource and can be used for support.  

Like many areas of behavioral health care, the crisis response workforce continues to face recruitment, retention, and burnout challenges. Many centers are struggling to hire and retain crisis counselors, with some states reporting high levels of turnover. In May of 2026, it was reported that 71% of 988 centers are understaffed, with most struggling to obtain resources to hire additional staff. 

The Role of CCBHCs in Crisis Response 

Most people who contact 988 receive support, assessment, and de-escalation directly through the crisis line. When additional intervention is needed, CCBHCs and mobile crisis teams can provide in-person response, crisis stabilization, and connection to ongoing care. Some possibilities could be that the CCBHC deploys a crisis team to the field, or the client is sent to an emergency department then referred or scheduled for other types of services. Some CCBHCs have a dual role in that they function as the 988 call center and provide mobile crisis services.   

CCBHCs also play a critical role in expanding access to crisis care in rural and underserved communities, helping connect individuals to timely support and follow-up services that may otherwise be difficult to access. 

Because CCBHCs are required to provide nine comprehensive service areas, including crisis care, care coordination, outpatient treatment, peer support, and community-based services, they are uniquely positioned to support individuals before, during, and after a behavioral health crisis. These nine services areas include: 

1. Crisis mental health services, including 24/7 crisis teams, emergency crisis intervention services, and crisis stabilization  
2. Screening, assessment, and diagnosis, including risk assessment  
3. Patient-centered treatment planning or similar processes, including risk assessment and crisis planning  
4. Outpatient mental health and substance use services  
5. Outpatient clinic primary care screening and monitoring of key health indicators and health risk  
6. Targeted case management  
7. Psychiatric rehabilitation services  
8. Peer support, counselor services, and family support  
9. Intensive, community-based mental health care for members of the armed forces/veterans, particularly those members and veterans located in rural areas  

Why This Matters 

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the CDC, more than 48,000 people died by suicide in 2024, highlighting the continued need for accessible crisis intervention and behavioral health services. The 988 Lifeline and CCBHCs are working together to change that. But to succeed, we need:  

• Greater public awareness of 988  
• Expanded workforce capacity for crisis counselors  
• Sustained funding for CCBHCs and crisis infrastructure  

What You Can Do 

Spread the Word: Share resources like this article or SAMHSA’s toolkits on social media, newsletters, or at community events.  

Advocate: Support policies that expand the CCBHC model and fund crisis response infrastructure.  

Take Action: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988. You don’t need to have the right words—just reach out.  

Talking about suicide and mental health challenges can feel difficult, but open conversations can save lives. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or someone you care about, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No concern is too small to reach out for help.