Stories about 988

NAMI & AFSP Celebrate 17 Congressional Leaders with ‘988 Crisis Response Champion Award’
Recipients Recognized by Top Mental Health Organizations for Work Creating, Implementing and Supporting 988 and Crisis Response Services

Our Work Isn't Over: The New 988 Lifeline Still Needs Your Support
AFSP and our nationwide network of volunteers are proud of the role we played in supporting legislation that helped ensure the launch of 988. But 988's launch is only the beginning of achieving successful crisis care in communities across the nation. Luckily, there are simple ways we can all get involved.

Supporting Suicide Prevention Policy at Washington State Capitol Day
When our 15-year-old daughter, Nina, died by suicide in September 2016, my wife Dawn and I could have hidden the cause of her death and remained silent. Instead, we chose to bring our story out of the darkness to help others.

AFSP State Capitol Day Events 2022: A United Voice for Suicide Prevention
Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s State Capitol Day events provide an opportunity for volunteer advocates to meet with state officials and share their experiences, urging support for legislation that can save lives.

Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Response Services: What They Are and How We Can Support Them
A crisis call is the most common, accessible starting point if you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis. On July 16, 2022, to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) will be available through a simple 3-digit,universal phone number, 988.

Suicide Prevention Advocate Perspectives: Why the New 988 Crisis Number Matters – A Conversation with Tori Yeates of AFSP Utah
Starting in July 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24/7 toll-free crisis line that provides immediate response to millions of callers in crisis every year, will be able to be reached via a simple code: 988.

Suicide Prevention Advocate Perspectives: Why the New 988 Crisis Number Matters – A Conversation with Jen Preble of AFSP Montana
In July 2022, a simple dialing code, 988, will route persons in crisis directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24/7 toll-free crisis line that provides immediate care and resources to millions of callers every year.

Suicide Prevention Advocate Perspectives: Why the New 988 Crisis Number Matters – A Conversation with Kirsten Krueger of AFSP South Dakota
Starting in July 2022, people across the nation experiencing a suicide or mental health crisis will be able to dial just three digits – 988 – to be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24/7 toll-free crisis line that provides immediate care and resources to millions of callers every year.

Supporting the Future 988 Crisis Line Through a Week of Action
On November 16, community leaders and advocates across the country came together for REIMAGINE: A Week of Action to Reimagine Our National Response to People in Crisis, a three-day event to learn more about 988 and actions people can take to help to build a comprehensive crisis response system in their state.

Nation’s Leading Mental Health Organizations Offer a Comprehensive Roadmap for Reimagining Crisis Response for Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders and Suicide Prevention
A collaborative of 15 of the nation’s leading mental health professional organizations, advocacy groups and funders today published a roadmap to guide mental health crisis response mandated by the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Applauds the House of Representatives for Dedicating Resources to the Fight for Suicide Prevention
AFSP applauds the Committee for record increases for crisis services and the continuum of care as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline transitions to 988 in July 2022, including a record increase of $89.6 million (from $24 million to $113.6 million) for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).

Free Live National Advocacy Forum for Suicide Prevention Advocates Offered on June 7
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is hosting a virtual National Advocacy Forum which brings together AFSP volunteer Field Advocates from across the country to learn about legislation that can save lives. The live event will be held on June 7 and is free and open to the public and media.

Advocating for Change: AFSP’s 2021 State Capitol Day Events
At this year’s virtual State Capitol Day events, volunteer Field Advocates learned about important AFSP Public Policy Priorities and heard from their local chapter board members and public officials about the importance of advocacy and how they can make a difference in the legislative process.

AFSP Urges Congress to Simplify and Fund the Nation’s Suicide Prevention Lifeline Phone Number
AFSP has endorsed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act and the 988-dialing code designation.