10/6/2022
988 Suicide Crisis Line
On July 16, 2022, 988 became the national three-digit phone number for all mental health, substance use, and suicide crises. 988 will be routed to South Dakota’s only National Suicide Prevention Lifeline center, The Helpline
Center, transitioning from the current Lifeline number, 1-800-273-8255. 988 will offer rapid access to behavioral health support through connection with trained crisis specialists.
How will 988 differ from 211? 211 is a non-emergency number for finding community resources, such as food banks and shelters. 911 is currently used for all emergencies, including mental health emergencies. 988 will be a mental health crisis number, and calls will be handled by National Suicide Prevention Lifeline counselors.
When should you call 988? Anyone in need of crisis support for themselves or someone else should call 988 which started on July 16th. 988 is an opportunity to transform our country’s behavioral health crisis system to respond to anyone in need.
Is 1-800-273-8255 going away? No. Moving to 988 does not mean the 800 number goes away. Dialing either number will get people to the same services, no matter which number they use. In the end, 988 is an easier-to-remember
way for all Americans to access a strengthened and expanded network of crisis call centers. For more information about 988, click on: https://sdsuicideprevention.org/988-2/.
