Thanks to advocates and supporters like you, the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from our partners at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now available nationwide. A new era in American suicide prevention has arrived with an easy-to-remember, three digit dialing code to call, text or chat. Free, confidential help for those in crisis will be closer than ever before.

Since the passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, AFSP has advocated tirelessly to raise awareness and demand the changes needed for 988 implementation. AFSP advocates have sent tens of thousands of messages to their elected officials and held hundreds of meetings through our State Capitol Days, Advocacy Forums, and Action Center.

We can’t thank you enough for sharing your stories and spreading the hope of 988 to everyone in the United States.

Your advocacy has led to the majority of states passing legislation to begin to prepare their crisis response systems for this change. Historic levels of federal funding for the Lifeline have been secured. But our work to transform the crisis care system does not end here.

Challenges and gaps remain to achieve the promise of 988. Over the coming months, we anticipate crisis call volume will increase significantly. We will need your support advocating for state and federal funding to ensure 988 meets the growing demand, and everyone in the United States gets the crisis care support they may need.

Please visit afsp.org/988 for more information. Join us as we continue to help prevent suicide.

See our 988 partner letter in the Washington Post.