988 Crisis Line Sees Increased Volumes, Better Response Times

HHS announces additional $35 million to improve 988 Lifeline access in tribal communities.

Call volumes to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline grew by 45% in August, when compared with August 2021, while response times shortened by 72%, the Department of Health and Human Services reports.

The nation in July transitioned to 988, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In August 2022 – the first full month of performance data -- the 988 Lifeline answered 152,000 more contacts (calls, chats and texts) compared to August 2021 and significantly improved the average speed to answer across all contacts to 42 seconds, down from 2.5 minutes in August 2021, HHS data show.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra credited the improvements to the Biden administration's 18-fold increase in funding for 988 Lifeline – rising from $24 million to $432 million.

"Our nation's transition to 988 moves us closer to better serving the crisis care needs of people across America," Becerra says. "988 is more than a number, it's a message: we're there for you. The transition to 988 is just the beginning. We will continue working towards comprehensive, responsive crisis care services nationwide to save lives."

Becerra also announced that HHS -- through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – has created an additional $35 million grant opportunity to support 988 Lifeline in tribal communities.

The U.S. had one death by suicide every 11 minutes in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and suicide was the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10-14 and 25-34 in that span.

From April 2020 to April 2021, more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses.

Chronically Underfunded

Although it was created in 2005, the Lifeline initiative has been hamstrung by chronic underfunding.

The tribal communities grant is part of the $150 million allocated for the 988 Lifeline under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act signed by President Joe Biden on June 25.

That funding builds upon the $432 million already provided by the Biden administration to support the 988 transition, which includes $105 million in grants to states and territories under the American Rescue Plan to improve response rates, increase capacity, and ensure calls are routed to local, regional, or state crisis call centers.

"We want everyone to know that there is hope. Whether you're experiencing thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, there is compassionate, accessible care and support," says Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, PhD, HHS' assistant secretary for mental health and substance use, who also leads SAMHSA. "With rising levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses – and the devastating number of overdose deaths – it is crucial that people have somewhere to turn when they’re in crisis."