Mental health support and crisis intervention

No. 988 is for anyone needing support during any kind of mental health or emotional challenge. You can contact 988 for:

• Thoughts of suicide
• Mental health concerns
• Substance use issues
• Emotional distress
• Worry about a loved one
• Feeling overwhelmed or alone

Our trained specialists are here to help with all these situations and more.

When you call 988, your call is routed to the closest provider to your location. You'll hear a brief greeting message with options for specific services. A trained crisis specialist will answer, listen to your concerns, understand how you're feeling, provide support, and share helpful resources if needed.

If our local center is busy, your call automatically goes to another crisis center in the national network, so you'll always reach someone who can help.

Most people who contact 988 receive the support they need directly from our crisis specialists by phone, text, or chat. Our goal is to help you in the least restrictive way possible.

We work hard to find solutions that don't require hospital visits. We only consider more intensive interventions when necessary for safety, and we involve you in that process whenever possible. More than 99% of calls are handled without involving emergency services.

Yes! 988 is for everyone. We offer:

• TTY service: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
• Text: Message 988 from your mobile phone
• Chat: Available through our website
• ASL Videophone service for deaf or hard of hearing individuals

Yes! All support from 988 is completely free. There are no charges for calls, no charges for the support you receive, and no insurance requirements. (Standard text messaging rates from your mobile carrier may apply if you text 988, but the service itself is free.)

Yes. We provide interpreter services in over 250 languages. When you call, we can quickly add an interpreter to your call. Spanish-language services are available directly by pressing 2 after dialing 988.