Stopping suicide seems secret, as 988 Crisis Lifeline remains largely unknown

There’s a short number people can call if they have a mental health crisis — that is 988, which replaced an old 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, more than two years ago of its nationwide rollout this week. But most Americans still don’t know it exists.

People who are suffering from mental health issues and depression can seek out help from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, but unlike other three digit dial resources like the 911 emergency and 411 information hotlines, the counseling call center is largely unknown.

The national transition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline occurred in 2022, at a time when the U.S. faced record high rates of suicide and overdose.

There were 747 New Jersey residents who took their own lives in 2022, a year when nationally, a record high 49,500 people died by suicide. That is one death every 11 minutes.

With the burgeoning crisis, it makes sense to establish a central point of contact where citizens can access help, but that would be pointless without making it widely known.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States and its territories.

According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center survey data, public recall of the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 number has grown slowly, with only 15% of U.S. adults familiar with it.

All calls, texts, or online chats are answered by trained lifeline specialists who provide compassionate, non-judgmental support.

When you call 988, specialists will listen to you, work to understand how your problem is affecting you, and share local resources that may be helpful.

“Everyone in this country, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to crisis care for mental health and substance use issues,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

“The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is helping to transform behavioral health crisis care in this country,” said Becerra. “This guidance will help communities continue to develop and enhance their behavioral health crisis services and systems to ensure everyone has access to the care that they need.”

The problem is, everyone doesn’t know about the 988 hotline.

Suicidal thoughts, much like other mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background, but although common, they should not be considered ‘normal’ as ideation often indicates something serious.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Americans between the ages 10 and 34 as well as for veterans under 45 years old.

Twenty-two percent of high school students reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year. This percentage is highest among girls and women (30%), American Indians/Alaska natives (27%), and lesbian, gay or bisexual teens (45%).

Suicide was the second-leading cause of death for veterans under 45 years old. There were 6,407 veteran suicide deaths in 2022, three more than in 2021.46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition — but research suggests that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

Suicide is the most serious manifestation of a broader crisis. While 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition, research suggests that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

A recent separate study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services found that 19.5% of teens 12 to 17 had a major depressive episode in the past year.

Readers may download the topline and the methods report to get detailed information from the Annenberg Public Policy Center survey.