As of July 16, 2022, the 988 mental health hotline is finally here. With this new number those experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 988—the new suicide and crisis lifeline—to reach support. This easy-to-remember number may be new, but it’s a lifesaving number that can help so many people. Here’s what you need to know about the nationwide 988 mental health hotline.
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What is the 988 Mental Health Hotline and Why is it so Important?
The 988 Mental Health Hotline is a 24/7 nationwide network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential support to those in a mental health crisis, including suicidal crisis or emotional distress that may be caused by mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
The purpose of the 988 mental health hotline is committed to improving crisis services and building suicide prevention. The 988-hotline number works by connecting people who call to an existing network of more than 200 local crisis call centers covering all areas of the US, even if there are no nearby local crisis centers. The National Prevention Lifeline’s 10-digit number: 1-800-273-8255, will remain active, but the calls will be routed to the 988-hotline number.
Making 988 the new hotline number is so important for expanding mental health care in the US. It provides an easy to access and remember hotline number that makes it possible to help more people who need it. It also shows that mental health crisis emergencies are just as important as public emergencies by making 988 accessible and quickly reach with a three-digit number similar to 911. In addition to calling and texting 988 for support, there is also an online lifeline chat available.
What is the difference between 988 and 911?
The main difference between 988 and 911 is that 988 is a mental health crisis and/or addiction that is not a life-threatening situation whereas 911 is a mental health and/or addiction emergency that is a life-threatening situation.
Examples of when to call 988:
- Talking about suicide
- Talking about harm to self or others
- Self-injury that doesn’t need medical attention
- Overuse of alcohol or other drugs
- Extreme depression, anxiety, or other mental illness symptoms
Examples of when to call 911:
- Active suicide threat
- Threatening harm to self or others
- Self-injury that needs medical attention
- Severe intoxication
- Inability to care for oneself
- Apparent drug overdose
Anyone who needs suicide or mental health crisis support, or knows someone in crisis, can contact the lifeline for help and assistance. Ohio’s lifeline counselors are trained in order to listen, assist, and support callers who are in distress to de-escalate the situation and cope. Also, Ohio’s lifeline call centers offer language translation services when it is needed.
The 988 mental health hotline number can provide help in moments of crisis, that’s why it is so important. At Modern Psychiatry and Wellness, we are among the leading providers of mental health and addiction services in Ohio. We provide personalized support and treatment for all individuals who have mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD to substance abuse and alcohol use disorder. If you have any questions about the 988 mental health hotline or what we do, contact us today.
