The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline), funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), was established in 2005 as the nation’s public safety net for individuals experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis. The current Lifeline system uses a 10-digit telephone number (1-800-273-TALK). Calls are routed to the nearest available Lifeline member center where trained call specialists listen to and assist callers with getting the help they need. The Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the U.S.
On July 16, 2020, the FCC issued an order designating 988 as the new Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line number. It required all U.S. telecommunication providers to activate 988 for all subscribers by July 16, 2022. This meant that every phone in the United States and its territories would then have access to suicide prevention and mental health crisis services via call, chat, and text through a 3-digit dialing code.
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