988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Free 24/7 Crisis Counseling
Free, confidential emotional support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress through 988 phone, text, and chat services across the United States and its territories.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Free 24/7 Crisis Counseling
Overview
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a free, confidential service for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress across the United States and its territories. It connects people with trained counselors by phone, text, and online chat. You do not have to be actively suicidal to use it. The official 988 site lists support for emotional distress, substance use disorder, economic worries, relationship problems, culture and identity concerns, illness, intimate partner violence, depression, mental or physical illness, loneliness, and concern about another person.
This is a public benefit, not a grant, cash award, insurance plan, therapy enrollment, or application-based program. There is no competition for a limited pool of money and no annual application window. The practical benefit is immediate access to a crisis counselor when a situation feels unsafe, overwhelming, or too difficult to handle alone. The service is administered by Vibrant Emotional Health and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Calls, texts, and chats are answered through a national network of crisis centers.
If someone is in immediate physical danger or needs urgent medical care, call 911 or the appropriate local emergency number. The 988 Lifeline is a crisis-support service and should not be treated as a substitute for emergency medical response.
At a glance
| Question | Current answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A national suicide, mental health, and crisis support service reached through 988 |
| Is it money? | No. It is free crisis counseling and support, not a cash payment |
| Cost | The 988 service is free; ordinary phone, text, data, or internet charges may depend on your carrier or plan |
| Availability | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year |
| Ways to connect | Call 988, text 988, or start a chat through the official 988 Lifeline site |
| Who can use it? | A person in distress, a person who needs to talk, or someone worried about another person |
| Coverage | United States and its territories |
| Deadline | Rolling and immediate; there is no application deadline |
| Official starting point | 988 Get Help |
What the service provides
The core service is a live conversation with a trained counselor. The official explanation of what to expect says the counselor will ask whether you are safe, listen to what is happening, seek to understand how the problem is affecting you, provide support, and share resources that may help. This makes 988 useful in the middle of a crisis, even when you cannot yet explain the entire history of the problem.
A contact can help you name the immediate safety issue, decide what to do during the next few minutes, identify a person who can stay with you, and consider resources for what comes after the crisis. A counselor may help you think through moving away from a dangerous item, getting to a safer place, asking someone trusted to join you, or deciding whether emergency services are needed. The exact conversation depends on the facts you share and the local crisis center handling the contact.
The service also accepts contacts from people seeking help for someone else. A parent, partner, friend, teacher, coworker, roommate, neighbor, or family member can ask how to respond when another person is talking about suicide, sending alarming messages, using substances while distressed, or appearing unable to stay safe. Be ready to explain what you observed, what the person said, whether they are alone, whether there is an immediate danger, and where they are if you know the location.
988 can help with a crisis without requiring a diagnosis. You do not need to decide whether the problem is depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, substance use, psychosis, or something else before making contact. You also do not need to wait until you have a polished explanation. A sentence such as “I am afraid I may hurt myself tonight,” “I cannot calm down and need help staying safe,” or “I am worried about my friend” is enough to begin.
The 988 Lifeline is not ongoing medical treatment and does not replace a therapist, doctor, community mental health provider, substance use treatment program, housing service, or legal service. It is a crisis doorway: it helps with the immediate situation and may share resources for additional support.
Eligibility and access
Eligibility is based on needing crisis support or emotional support, not on income, a competitive review, or a formal diagnosis. The official 988 site says the service is for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and that people do not have to be suicidal to call. It also gives examples such as substance use disorder, relationship problems, economic worries, illness, intimate partner violence, depression, mental or physical illness, and loneliness.
You may also contact 988 because you are worried about another person. You do not have to be the person experiencing suicidal thoughts. You can ask for guidance on how to talk with someone, how to assess immediate safety, and how to get urgent help when the situation is escalating.
The service covers the United States and its territories. The official FAQ says that people who call, text, or chat are not required to provide personal information to receive services. That does not mean every conversation has identical privacy conditions: the official privacy materials explain that information may be handled or shared in limited circumstances involving imminent risk, legal requirements, emergency coordination, or other stated service and safety needs. Read the current terms and privacy information if those details matter to your decision.
There are specialized access routes:
- Veterans, active service members, and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. They can also text 838255 or use the Veterans Crisis Line chat.
- Spanish-speaking people can call 988 and press 2, text AYUDA to 988, or start a chat in Spanish. The official site says voice, text, and chat options are offered in Spanish.
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988 for TTY access. The 988 site also provides a 988 Videophone route for American Sign Language users.
These routes are access options within the crisis-support network, not separate grants or enrollment programs. If a specialized route is not the right fit, the general 988 service remains available.
How to contact 988
There is no form to complete before reaching out. Choose the channel that is safest and most workable in the moment.
Call 988
- Dial 988 from a phone in the United States or its territories.
- Listen to the service-selection message. The official sequence identifies Veterans Crisis Line support with press 1, Spanish-language support with press 2, and the local 988 Lifeline contact center option.
- Remain on the line while the system connects you with a live counselor.
- Tell the counselor whether you are safe and what is happening. The counselor will listen, provide support, and share helpful resources when appropriate.
Calling is usually the best option when you need fast back-and-forth conversation, can speak safely, or need to describe a complicated situation. If you are unable to speak privately, use text or chat if that is safer and the situation is not an immediate medical emergency.
Text 988
- Send any text message to 988. If you want Spanish text support, send AYUDA to 988.
- Review the service options and follow the prompt to connect with the appropriate counselor. For Veterans Crisis Line text support, use 838255.
- Text “Next” when prompted to accept the current terms of service.
- Complete the brief survey that helps the counselor understand how to support you. Some optional questions may appear while you wait for connection.
- Tell the counselor whether you are safe and describe the most urgent concern first.
Texting can be useful when speaking aloud is unsafe, when another person is nearby, or when writing is easier than talking. Keep the first message direct. “I am thinking about suicide,” “I need help staying safe,” “I am intoxicated and afraid,” or “I am worried about my child” gives the counselor a starting point.
Chat online
- Open the 988 Get Help page and select Chat, or go to the official 988 chat service.
- Answer the short opening questions. They help the live counselor understand how to support you.
- Select “Start a Chat” to accept the current terms of service and begin connection.
- When the counselor joins, answer the safety question and describe what you need right now.
Chat is available 24/7 according to the official FAQ. If the chat connection is not working or the situation is becoming more dangerous, call 988. If there is immediate physical danger or urgent medical need, call 911 or local emergency services.
What to say first
You do not need to provide a complete biography. Put immediate safety and timing first. Helpful openings include:
- “I am thinking about suicide and I do not feel safe.”
- “I have a plan and need help not acting on it.”
- “I am alone and afraid I might hurt myself.”
- “I am using alcohol or drugs and my judgment is getting worse.”
- “My child is talking about suicide and I need guidance.”
- “My friend sent goodbye messages and I do not know where they are.”
- “I am not suicidal, but I am in a crisis and cannot calm down.”
Say clearly if there is access to a weapon, medication, vehicle, height, sharp object, or another immediate means of harm. Say whether the person at risk is alone. If you know the person’s location, share it when asked. These details help the counselor understand urgency. Do not delay the contact because you do not know every answer.
What to expect during the conversation
The counselor may ask whether you are safe, whether you are thinking about suicide, whether you have a plan, whether you have access to a means of harm, whether substances are involved, whether someone is with you, and what support is available nearby. These questions are part of understanding the immediate situation. Answer as directly as you can, even if the answer is uncertain.
The goal is not to test whether your distress is serious enough. The counselor will listen and provide emotional support. The conversation may include grounding, slowing down, identifying a safer place, contacting someone you trust, or considering a next action. The counselor may also share local or specialized resources. Resource availability differs by location, so do not assume that every community has the same follow-up services.
If you are calling about another person, describe the exact words or actions that caused concern. Say whether the person has a plan, access to a dangerous item, recent substance use, a medical emergency, or a known location. If the person is with you, explain whether you can stay with them safely. The counselor can help you think through what to say and what urgent steps may be needed.
The official 988 materials describe the service as confidential, but privacy has safety and legal limits. The current privacy policy explains that information may be used for service operations, quality improvement, or emergency coordination and may be disclosed where required by law or when necessary to protect someone from imminent harm. Ask questions about confidentiality if that concern is preventing you from reaching out.
When 988 is not enough by itself
Call 911 or local emergency services when someone has already attempted to harm themselves, has an immediate life-threatening medical condition, is unconscious, has a weapon and is about to use it, cannot be kept physically safe, or needs urgent treatment for an overdose or serious injury. You can also contact 988 for support while emergency help is being arranged, but 988 is not a substitute for the emergency response itself.
The official FAQ says the 988 Lifeline does not directly trace callers or receive pinpoint location information in the same way as 911 providers. If you are contacting 988 about another person, share the location you know rather than assuming the system can locate them automatically.
For a non-urgent need such as routine appointment scheduling, medication refills, billing, long-term case management, or benefits paperwork, contact the provider or agency responsible for that issue. If the practical problem is causing an emotional crisis, 988 can still help with the immediate distress, but you may need a separate service for the longer-term problem.
Timeline and deadline
There is no application deadline, cohort, award cycle, or announced next round to wait for. The service is rolling and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Use it when support is needed.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Now | Call 988, text 988, or start an official 988 chat |
| Initial connection | Hear the call menu, receive text prompts, or answer chat intake questions |
| Counselor contact | Confirm safety, explain the crisis, receive listening and support |
| Next step | Make a safety-focused plan, consider resources, or coordinate urgent help when needed |
| After contact | Follow the next action, contact longer-term care if needed, and reach out again if the crisis returns |
Do not wait for the situation to become more extreme. The official site expressly says that people do not have to be suicidal to call. Contacting the service earlier can make it easier to explain what is happening and identify support before immediate danger grows.
What to prepare
No documents, proof of income, insurance card, diagnosis, referral, essay, or application fee is required to begin. If it is safe, it may help to know:
- The current location of you or the person at risk.
- Whether anyone is physically present.
- Whether there is access to medication, weapons, a vehicle, heights, or another means of harm.
- Whether alcohol or drugs are involved.
- The name of someone who could stay nearby or help create distance from danger.
- Any current therapist, doctor, counselor, case manager, school support, or Veterans Affairs contact.
- What has helped before, even if it only helped briefly.
These details are optional aids, not eligibility requirements. If the only thing you can do is dial 988, send a text, or open chat, do that. You can provide more information after a counselor responds.
FAQ
Is 988 only for someone about to attempt suicide?
No. The official 988 site says people do not have to be suicidal to call. Emotional distress, substance use crisis, loneliness, relationship problems, depression, or concern about another person can also be reasons to reach out.
Is 988 a grant or cash benefit?
No. It is a free crisis-support service. There is no payment, award amount, reimbursement, or application review. The amount field on this page describes the service available rather than money paid to a participant.
Is the service free?
The 988 Lifeline service is free. Your phone or internet provider may still apply ordinary carrier, messaging, data, or device charges depending on your plan.
Do I need insurance or a diagnosis?
No application, diagnosis, referral, or insurance enrollment is needed to start a contact. The official FAQ says callers, texters, and chat users are not required to provide personal information to receive services.
Can I contact 988 for someone else?
Yes. Tell the counselor what the person said or did, whether they are alone, whether there is immediate danger, and where they are if you know. If emergency medical help is needed, call 911 or local emergency services.
How do I reach Spanish support?
Call 988 and press 2, text AYUDA to 988, or start a chat in Spanish. The official site says voice, text, and chat support are available in Spanish.
How do veterans and service members use the service?
Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, text 838255, or use Veterans Crisis Line chat. Veterans, active service members, and their loved ones can use these routes.
What if I am Deaf or hard of hearing?
Use a preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988 for TTY access. The official 988 site also lists a 988 Videophone option for Deaf and Hard of Hearing American Sign Language users.
Will emergency services be sent automatically?
Not every contact results in an emergency response. The purpose of 988 is crisis support, listening, and safety-focused help. If there is immediate danger, say so plainly and call 911 or local emergency services when urgent physical or medical response is required.
Can I use 988 more than once?
Yes. If the crisis returns, the first plan no longer feels sufficient, or you are again worried about someone else, contact 988 again. If the need has become an emergency, call 911 or local emergency services too.
Official links
- 988 Get Help
- What to Expect
- 988 Frequently Asked Questions
- 988 About Us
- 988 confidentiality information
- Veterans Crisis Line
Next step
If this page describes an immediate crisis, use the service now: call 988, text 988, or start the official 988 chat. If someone is in immediate physical danger or needs urgent medical care, call 911 or the appropriate local emergency number.