Vibrant Emotional Health Celebrates the Second Anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Answering 10 Million Contacts
Media Contact:
Divendra Jaffar, [email protected]
NEW YORK, NY – July 16, 2024 — Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant), one of the nation’s leading mental health organizations and the administrator of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) and the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), today shared significant progress since transitioning to a nationwide, three-digit dialing code two years ago. The 988 Lifeline, a network of more than 200 state and local call centers funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has answered 10 million calls, texts, and chats from individuals seeking help with suicide, mental health, and substance use-related crises since its launch in July 2022. Of these, 1.7 million were texts, marking a 51% increase in text responses over the past 12 months compared to the previous year.
Nearly 1.2 million of the 988 calls were answered by the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) through the 988’s Press 1 option, providing veterans, service members, and their families a direct line to the VCL. Considering all VCL services, veterans and their supporters have reached the VCL through phone, online chat, and text over 2 million times since July 2022.
“On the second anniversary of the 988 Lifeline, we are proud to announce that we have answered over 10 million contacts,” said Tia Dole, Ph.D., Chief 988 Lifeline Officer at Vibrant Emotional Health. “As the administrator of the 988 Lifeline, we recognize the critical need to address America’s ongoing mental health crisis. With our network of more than 200 crisis centers, we are committed to improving the way individuals reach out for care and support, ensuring that help is accessible when it is needed most.”
On July 16, 2022, the U.S. transitioned to 988 as an easy-to-remember way for anyone needing support to reach a trained crisis counselor at any time, day or night. Significant investments in 988 at all levels have helped states, territories, and tribes hire crisis counselors for improved local response, ensure national backup, and expand services.
In 2023, the 988 Lifeline added Spanish text and chat, specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults, and videophone support for American Sign Language (ASL) users. Spanish-speaking individuals can connect directly to Spanish-speaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting “Ayuda” to 988, or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org. LGBTQI+ youth and young adults can connect with a counselor specifically trained to meet their needs by texting “Pride” to 988, calling 988 and selecting option 3, or accessing the service via chat on 988lifeline.org.
Since these service expansions, 988 counselors have answered approximately 20,000 Spanish-language chats and texts, more than 475,000 texts, calls, and chats from LGBTQI+ youth and young adults, and about 20,000 videophone contacts in ASL.
Later this year, georouting technology is expected to enhance cell phone users’ connectivity to local services by routing 988 callers and texters based on their approximate physical location rather than their area code.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn more about the 988 Lifeline and Vibrant Emotional Health, visit vibrant.org.
###
About Vibrant Emotional Health
Vibrant Emotional Health is a non-profit organization that helps individuals and families achieve emotional well-being. For over 50 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, Veterans Crisis Line, 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 nearly 5 million 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 Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Comments are closed here.