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988 is a newly Federally designated number that, as of July 16, will connect with the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). When fully implemented, the 988 number will offer crisis response services including stabilization, mobile team dispatch, and connections to follow-up care. Through 988, people can call, text, and chat with support staff if they are experiencing mental health and/or substance use emergencies. The resources provided on this page offer a variety of information and toolkits for the release of 988.

Further Background Reading

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: What it Means for Hospitals
• 988: The New Mental Health Crisis Emergency Number
• 988 Toolkit for Nationwide Availability on July 16
• What Is 988? Infographic

Well Being Trust

NASMHPD

SAMHSA

Media

Only a few state legislatures have enacted or even introduced legislation to build crisis stabilization systems with physical settings for diagnosis and observation and experienced staff, which the 988 project requires, said Caitlin Gillooley, director of quality and behavioral health policy at the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ Association. The AHA is compiling resources for behavioral health crisis care that will complement SAMSHA guidelines to states, she said.

"We're trying to identify where the gaps are and what still needs to be done," Gillooley said. "That's advocating for additional funding at the state and local level, as well as workforce and staffing allowances to actually staff the crisis call centers."