988: The New Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988 The New Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

As a community-based recovery center, we are dedicated to providing others with free addiction and mental health resources. That is why we partnered with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Our goal is to help raise awareness for this new suicide hotline and let the public know this resource is available for those that need it.

988 Hotline Frequently Asked Questions

988 Hotline Banner

What is 988?

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was recently launched as part of a larger effort by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a more user-friendly number for individuals in crisis to call. This partnership between our organization and the FCC provides easy access to local crisis counseling centers and suicide prevention services throughout the United States. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Who Can Call 988?

Anyone in need of immediate support for their mental health or someone else’s can call 988. There are no age, income or insurance restrictions for using the service. It's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no cost to the caller.

The Benefits of 988

There are numerous benefits associated with this new hotline. It offers 24/7 access to crisis counselors who are trained in assessing mental health crises, providing support, connecting individuals with local resources, such as shelters or food banks, and offering referrals for long-term care if necessary. Additionally, 988 provides users with free access to educational materials about suicide prevention techniques as well as links for users who may not feel comfortable talking on the phone but still need support.

How Does Calling 988 Differ from Going to the Emergency Room for Help?

Calling 988

Calling 988 provides access to confidential emotional support and resources that are tailored to meet your specific needs when compared with going through an Emergency Room (ER). When you go through an ER for help with a mental health issue, you may have to wait longer than necessary due to overcrowding and long wait times caused by other medical emergencies being attended to first; you may also run into issues related to privacy concerns since ERs are public spaces where others could overhear your conversations or access your information without your permission; on top of all this, the cost associated with seeking assistance through an ER may be far more expensive than calling 988 would be in most cases since there isn't any cost associated with using this service.

Are There any Limitations on What Kinds of Calls Can be Made When Dialing 988?

No, there aren't any prerequisites or qualifications required prior to making a call on this line; it is open twenty-four hours per day and seven days per week so anyone can make a call whenever they feel like it with no restrictions or limitations based on individual circumstances like age or income level (with some exceptions for those under 18 years old). The only thing that might limit what kind of calls can be made is the availability of resources in certain areas as not everywhere has an extensive network of mental health professionals accessible via this line yet but this is something that is slowly changing across the country as more people become aware of this valuable resource and its potential benefits for those seeking help dealing with mental health challenges.

Who Provides Services Through 988?

The FCC has established agreements with national entities like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide assistance via the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network when someone calls 988 for help in an emergency or distress situation involving mental health issues or suicide prevention needs. Through this network, callers are connected with certified crisis counselors that have been trained to provide immediate assistance during a mental health emergency situation and refer them to appropriate local resources for follow up care if needed after their call ends.

What Should I Expect When I Call 988?

When you call 988, you will be connected with a trained crisis counselor who will assess your needs and offer guidance that best meets those needs at that time of your call - whether it's providing emotional support during a personal crisis situation or referring you to one of many local resources that could offer further help after your phone call ends such as professional counseling services or other community programs available in your area related to mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders etc.

Your call is confidential and all conversations between you and the counselor remain private unless there are concerns about harm coming to yourself or another person which would then require intervention from law enforcement authorities depending on state laws governing mandatory reporting requirements regarding potential threats of harm against others etc. Regardless of what happens in any particular conversation on the hotline – if there’s ever any doubt about safety– always err on side of caution and seek medical attention by calling 911 first before anything else!

The Importance of Raising Awareness for Suicide Prevention Help

Suicide Prevention Help

It’s essential that we raise awareness about this new lifeline so that more people can take advantage of its benefits. We want people who are feeling depressed or suicidal to know that they can reach out for help without fear of judgment or stigma associated with seeking help through traditional means like calling a hotline or visiting a therapist’s office. Our goal is to make sure everyone knows they don’t have to suffer alone—help is available when they need it most!

Zak Williams, mental health advocate and the son of the late Robin Williams, shares his thoughts for those who might be struggling this holiday season. Watch and share this message to help spread the word.

Connect with 988 if You Are Struggling

We are proud of our commitment towards providing individuals with access to resources related to addiction, recovery and mental health through our partnership with the FCC’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline program.

We strongly encourage anyone seeking help for themselves or someone else in their life to reach out for assistance by dialing 988 or visiting www.988lifeline.org today.

About Christine Todd, MS, LPC, CAADC

Clinical Director Christine Todd is a Licensed Professional Counselor and an Advanced Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor who enjoys working directly with a population that struggles with addiction and mental health disorders. Christine brings many years of clinical experience to the team at Recovery Cove, where she is currently the Clinical Director. In her role, she oversees the clinical department as a leader, educator and mentor, designing programming and protocols for a diverse client population. Learn More About Christone Todd, MS, LPC, CAADC