Vibrant Emotional Health Applauds the Reintroduction of the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act in Congress
Media Contact:
Divendra Jaffar, [email protected]
NEW YORK, NY – April 8, 2025 — Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant), one of the nation’s premier leaders in mental health and the administrator of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline), applauds Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Senators Mark Wayne Mullin (R-OK) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) for reintroducing the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act. These bipartisan leaders have taken action in Washington, D.C., to improve the security and integrity of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
After a 2022 cyberattack on a vendor for the 988 Lifeline resulted in an outage that blocked call access for those seeking mental health support, legislators in Washington introduced the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act. This landmark bill establishes a reporting structure for cybersecurity vulnerabilities or incidents that impact the 988 Lifeline and requires a study of the 988 Lifeline’s cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities.
Due to robust bipartisan support for the 988 Lifeline in Congress, the Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act was almost signed into law in 2024. Vibrant Emotional Health looks forward to working with bipartisan champions in both chambers of Congress to advance this critical bill that will help improve responses to cybersecurity attacks on the 988 Lifeline.
Cara McNulty, DPA., Chief Executive Officer of Vibrant Emotional Health, thanked the bill sponsors for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the 988 Lifeline. She said, “I am deeply appreciative of Representatives Obernolte and Dingell and Senators Padilla and Mullin for their efforts to protect the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from cybersecurity attacks. This important legislation will help Vibrant Emotional Health ensure uninterrupted access to the 988 Lifeline for people in crisis who need vital mental health support. We have worked closely with these Congressional champions for years and look forward to building upon prior support for this bill to fortify the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and ask that Congress pass the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act.”
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, experiencing mental health challenges, or problematic substance use, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for 24/7 judgment-free support from skilled, compassionate crisis counselors.
For more information about Vibrant Emotional Health and its mission to improve emotional well-being for all, visit vibrant.org. Stay up to date with Vibrant’s latest public policy updates at vibrant.org/publicpolicy.
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About Vibrant Emotional Health
Vibrant Emotional Health is a non-profit organization that helps individuals and families achieve emotional well-being. For over 55 years, our groundbreaking solutions have delivered high-quality services and support when, where, and how people need it. We offer confidential emotional support through our state-of-the-art contact center and crisis hotline services that use leading-edge telephone, text, and web-based technologies, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Disaster Distress Helpline, and NFL Life Line. Through our community wellness programs, individuals and families obtain the support and skills they need to thrive. Our advocacy and education initiatives promote mental well-being as a social responsibility. We help millions of people live healthier and more vibrant lives yearly. We’re advancing access, dignity, and respect for all and revolutionizing the system for good. Visit vibrant.org. Follow Vibrant on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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