New crisis help number – 988 – helping more people, more quickly

On July 16 the United States transitioned from a 10-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to the easy-to-remember three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Since then, there has been a 45 percent increase in people using the new, shorter number, according to 988 Lifeline Performance Metrics.

Along with this increase in calls, the Department of Health and Human Services reported the answer rates have increased and on hold times have significantly decreased compared to before the crisis line was activated. This is not only the result of the activation of the new crisis number but an increase in the funding for language access and an increase in the staffing at call centers.