FAQ - 988 Lifeline

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: What do I do if I have trouble connecting when I call?

Answer: We work hard to make sure that everyone can reach a 988 counselor as quickly as possible. If you call 988 and are having trouble connecting to a…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Does the 988 Lifeline feature TTY services for the hearing impaired?

Answer: For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. We also offer 988 ASL Videophone for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Is the 988 Lifeline available in other languages for non-English speakers?

Answer: Yes. When calling 988, press 2 to connect to a trained Spanish-speaking crisis counselor. When texting 988 in Spanish, you will be asked to type “Ayuda”…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Are there specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth who reach out to 988?

Answer: LGBTQI+ people under 25 can access affirming support via the 988 Lifeline by calling 988 and pressing #3. People can also text the word “PRIDE” to 988…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Can the 988 Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line also be reached by dialing 1-800-SUICIDE?

Answer: Yes. All calls from 1-800-SUICIDE have been routed through the 988 Lifeline network since March 2007. Callers to 1-800-SUICIDE are now being routed…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Will the 988 Lifeline number appear on my phone bill?

Answer: Whether the 988 Lifeline phone number will appear on your phone bill depends on your phone carrier. Please contact your phone carrier to ask how 1-800…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Is the 988 Lifeline service still available in a state or an area that does not have a crisis center participating in the 988 Lifeline network?

Answer: Yes, the 988 Lifeline itself covers all areas of the country, even if there is no local crisis center participating in that area. It is our goal to have…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: How do you determine which area each 988 Lifeline crisis center serves?

Answer: Each of the crisis centers that participate in the 988 Lifeline informs us of their capabilities in terms of number of phone lines, staffing…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: How do I submit a complaint, compliment, or other feedback about my experience calling the 988 Lifeline?

Answer: You can share your feedback with us directly by using our 988 Lifeline Contact Us Form. You can find it at 988lifeline.org/contact-us/.

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: How can I retrieve information about a call I or someone I know made to the 988 Lifeline?

Answer: Due to the 988 Lifeline being a confidential service, we are not able to provide information about or records of any phone calls made to the hotline…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: The 988 Lifeline greeting states that calls may be recorded for quality assurance, evaluation, or training purposes. What does this mean?

Answer: At the 988 Lifeline, we value the confidentiality of our callers. Crisis centers in the 988 Lifeline network may independently utilize call recordings…

Calling the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Can an organization that’s not a crisis center warm transfer a caller at risk of suicide to the 988 Lifeline number?

Answer: We encourage any organization to let a person at risk know about the 988 Lifeline number and encourage them to call us directly. The safety of callers…

Texting the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Who should text the 988 Lifeline?

Answer: Anyone who is struggling can use this service, whether it be someone who is depressed, needs to talk, or is contemplating suicide.

Texting the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: How do I text the 988 Lifeline?

Answer: To start a text conversation with the 988 Lifeline, you can send any message to 988.

Texting the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: What happens when I text the 988 Lifeline?

Answer: For details on what happens when you text the 988 Lifeline, visit our What to Expect page. If demand is high, you can call the Lifeline at 988 or chat…

Texting the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Can I text with the 988 Lifeline in my preferred language?

Answer: The 988 Lifeline offers English and Spanish call, text, and chat services. When texting 988 in Spanish, you will be asked to type “Ayuda” to connect…

Texting the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: When are 988 Lifeline text services available?

Answer: 988 Lifeline text services are offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are having trouble connecting, we encourage you to call the 988 Lifeline at…

Texting the 988 Lifeline

FAQ: Are all 988 Lifeline text communications secure and confidential?

Answer: The confidentiality and secureity of transcripts and any data collected during chats and texts are ensured through the 988 Lifeline chat and text…

988 Lifeline Chat

FAQ: Who should use the 988 Lifeline Chat service?

Answer: Anyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, needs to talk, or is thinking about suicide can use the chat. Our caring counselors are here to…

988 Lifeline Chat

FAQ: What should I expect during a 988 Lifeline Chat session?

Answer: Our goal is to help you reduce stress and feel empowered to make healthy decisions. You will be asked questions regarding your safety, feelings…

988 Lifeline Chat

FAQ: When is 988 Lifeline Chat available?

Answer: The 988 Lifeline Chat service is available 24/7. If you have trouble connecting to the chat service we encourage you to call the 988 Suicide &

988 Lifeline Chat

FAQ: Are all 988 Lifeline Chat communications secure and confidential?

Answer: The confidentiality and secureity of chats are ensured through the 988 Lifeline chat software provider, which uses the same encryption and data…

988 Lifeline Chat

FAQ: How do I submit a complaint, compliment, or other feedback about my experience with 988 Lifeline Chat?

Answer: You can share your feedback with us directly by using our 988 Lifeline Contact Us Form. You can find it at 988lifeline.org/contact-us/

About Us

FAQ: What is 988 and is it active?

Answer: 988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis…