Body · Mental health basics

988: when and how to reach out

Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, 24/7. It's free, confidential, and you don't have to be suicidal: money stress, a breakup, loneliness, substance use or worry about a friend all count. A trained counselor asks about your safety, listens, and shares local resources. Most contacts are handled without 911; police or EMS are involved only when there's an immediate risk to someone's life. If a friend tells you about a plan to hurt themselves, don't keep it secret. Call 988 with them or for them.

Easy10 min to read; 30 seconds to save the numberFree (standard text rates may apply)Checked October 2, 2026

What to know

Save 988 in your phone now, so it's there when you need it.
Reach out for any emotional distress, not only thoughts of suicide. Reasons to call include substance use, money worries, relationships, identity, illness, partner violence, depression and loneliness. Source: 988 Lifeline
Pick how you want to connect: call 988, text any message to 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. All three are available 24 hours a day. Source: 988 Lifeline
Know what happens on a call. You hear a greeting and a short menu; press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, 2 for Spanish, or 0 to skip the menu. Otherwise you're routed to a local crisis center based on your approximate location or area code, and to a national backup center if the local one is busy. Source: SAMHSA
When a counselor answers, they introduce themselves, ask about your safety, listen, and work to understand how the problem is affecting you. Then they share resources that may help. Source: SAMHSA
Calling about someone else? You can. Calls go to a local center that can tell you what resources are near you. Source: 988 Lifeline

Watch out Call 911 for an attempt in progress, a plan someone is about to carry out with the means to do it, a suspected overdose, or physical symptoms like chest pain or trouble breathing. Source: SAMHSA Don't leave a person who has attempted suicide alone. Source: MedlinePlus

Warning signs in yourself or a friend

Take these seriously, especially if they're new, getting worse, or follow a painful loss or change. Source: NIMH 988 Lifeline

Type	Signs
Talking about	Wanting to die, great guilt or shame, being a burden, feeling trapped or having no reason to live
Feeling	Empty, hopeless, extremely sad, more anxious, agitated or full of rage; unbearable pain
Doing	Making a plan or researching ways to die; withdrawing, saying goodbye, giving things away; dangerous risks like driving very fast; using more alcohol or drugs; sleeping or eating much more or less; extreme mood swings

If a friend is struggling

Be direct. Ask openly and matter-of-factly about suicide. Source: 988 Lifeline
Listen and accept their feelings. Don't lecture or debate whether suicide is right or wrong. Source: 988 Lifeline
Don't act shocked, and never dare them. Source: 988 Lifeline
Don't agree to keep it secret. Get support. Source: 988 Lifeline
Help keep them safe by removing things like weapons or pills. Source: 988 Lifeline
Help them connect to 988 or other help, and follow up afterward. Source: 988 Lifeline
Take care of yourself too. Supporting someone can bring up hard feelings, and you can call 988 for you. Source: 988 Lifeline

Words that can help

To a friend: "I've noticed you've seemed [down / not yourself / really stressed] lately. I care about you. Are you thinking about suicide?" If yes: "Thank you for telling me. I'm staying with you. Let's call or text 988 together."

To 988, if you're not sure what to say: "I'm not sure this counts, but I'm having a really hard time and I need to talk to someone."

If it doesn't work

Trouble connecting by text or chat? Call 988 instead. Source: 988 Lifeline
Feedback about your experience? Use the contact form at 988lifeline.org/contact-us. Source: 988 Lifeline

Good to know

Will police show up?

Most people who reach out are helped by the counselor, resources or community connections without 911. A small share of contacts need 911, when there's an imminent risk to life that can't be reduced during the call, and many of those happen with the caller's consent. Source: SAMHSA

Privacy

988 routes calls by approximate location, not your precise GPS location. Source: SAMHSA Whether 988 shows up on a phone bill depends on your carrier. Source: 988 Lifeline

Other languages

Text AYUDA to 988 or press 2 for Spanish. Interpretation in more than 240 other languages is free. Source: 988 Lifeline SAMHSA

Deaf and hard of hearing

TTY users can use a relay service or dial 711 then 988, and there's a 988 videophone for ASL users. Source: 988 Lifeline

Veterans and service members

Call 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Source: 988 Lifeline

After a disaster

The Disaster Distress Helpline is 1-800-985-5990, call or text. Source: 988 Lifeline

Sources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Get help
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline FAQ
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Help someone else
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Warning signs
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 988 frequently asked questions
National Institute of Mental Health Warning signs of suicide
MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) When to use the emergency room

Lesson B7.4 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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