988: More people are using the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline with counselors available 24/7 for anyone in crisis
AGN.News Team
October 5, 2022
WASHINGTON (AGN.News) – On July 16, 2022, the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline became active. Callers have the option to call, text, or chat with counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention and crisis network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
When calling the national 988 number, the caller is routed to their nearest crisis center to receive immediate counseling and local mental health referrals. The lifeline supports people who call for themselves or someone they care about.
“If you’re in crisis and you need support, text 988 or chat with mental health professionals at: 988lifeline.org/chat,” the organization wrote on its website.
All US phone carriers support 988
In July 2020, the FCC finalized an order to direct telecommunication carriers to implement 9-8-8 as the new toll-free nationwide telephone number for the hotline by July 16, 2022. To learn more call 988 or go here.
The need for this 9-8-8 helpline became clearer when many people could not remember or did not have access to the toll-free number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Suicide: A serious public health problem
Many people have been injured and this can become one of the factors that can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. Some attempt suicide with the intent to end their life, but they do not die as a result of their actions.
Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence have a higher suicide risk.
Suicide: A Leading cause of death
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, with 45,979 deaths in 2020. This is about one death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher.
In 2020, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34.
In 2020, an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.2 million attempted suicide.
Suicide: Who’s at greater risk
As for as ethnicity is concerned, the groups with the highest rates of suicide were non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic White populations. Other Americans with higher than average rates of suicide are veterans, people who live in rural areas, and workers in certain industries and occupations like mining and construction.
Young people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual have higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behavior compared to their peers who identify as heterosexual. Suicide attempts and self-harm are between two and four times more frequent among females.
Suicide: The high cost of suicide
Suicide and suicide attempts cause serious emotional, physical, and economic impacts. People who attempt suicide and survive may experience serious injuries that can have long-term effects on their health.
They may also experience depression and other mental health concerns. The good news is that more than 90% of people who attempt suicide and survive never go on to die by suicide.
Suicide and suicide attempts affect the health and well-being of friends, loved ones, co-workers, and the community. When people die by suicide, their surviving family and friends may experience shock, anger, guilt, symptoms of depression or anxiety, and may even experience thoughts of suicide themselves.
The financial toll of suicide on society is also costly. In 2019, suicide and nonfatal self-harm cost the nation nearly $490 billion in medical costs, work loss costs, value of statistical life, and quality of life costs.
What can you do when in crisis?
First, remember suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play to save lives and create healthy and strong individuals, families, and communities.
You can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat at 988lifeline.org if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Now callers can simply call or text 988 on their phone and they will be instantly connected to a counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week including holidays and weekends.
This is a free, three-digit suicide and crisis hotline set up for people of all ages, from seniors, veterans, and the disabled to young people, all over America.
When was 988 lifeline launched?
This three-digit 988 suicide and crisis lifeline was given the green light as 9-8-8 to go online throughout the United States in 2019. This lifeline was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday, December 12, 2019. It was to be launched nationwide on Saturday, July 16, 2022.
The 988 dial-code became operational and accessible to everyone to provide mental health support and ease pressure on the 911 line, which covers all emergencies.
A little history of the lifeline
On January 1, 2005, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was launched by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Vibrant Emotional Health.
The original National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was renamed. The new name became the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on July 15, 2022. 9-8-8 was officially implemented as the toll-free nationwide telephone number for the hotline on July 16.
988 is coming to Canada in 2023
On August 31, 2022, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced it had finalized its decision to make 9-8-8 the national three-digit code for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services, with a scheduled implementation date of November 30, 2023.
What has been the result of 988?
Since it launched in the United States on July 16, 2022, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has become a true lifeline for tens of thousands.
“988 is more than a number, it’s a message: We’re there for you,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said. “The transition to 988 is just the beginning. We will continue working toward comprehensive, responsive crisis care services nationwide to save lives.”
There is more 988 help coming
Since 988 came online there has been a positive response from the public. Many state and local governments have stepped up improve their response rate. Some areas are reporting a steady increase in the percentage of calls answered. The goal is to have a 100% answer rate nationwide.
In the meantime, governments are continuing to expand coverage to all communities, including Native American and tribal communities. Some communities have people who speak many languages who want to be served by 988.
There are many cultures across this vast country including citizens on Pacific Islands, the Caribbean Sea, as well as unincorporated island communities. These citizens have a host of cultural traditions.
More counselors are available now
Counselors who speak different local languages and understand different cultures will soon become available. The future will include these assets to serve various communities in the coming months.
In the meantime, 988 is online right now nationwide. Soon 988 will be expanded to include all communities nationwide.
This unique national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available right now for those who want to talk, text, or chat with a counselor 24/7.
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AGN.News Team
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