The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is officially active nationwide, but if you're dialing a different phone number where 988 begins the local seven-digit number, you need to remember to hit all 10 digits of the number including the area code.
Like 911, the goal of 988 is to make the shorter phone number easier for people to remember, specifically if they need access to someone during a mental health crisis.
The number is meant to improve access to crisis services to meet a growing suicide and mental health crisis in the country, connecting callers to a network of trained counselors who can assist them and connect them to services or other resources.
Dialing 988 now connects all wireless and landline callers to the lifeline.
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But if you are dialing a local number that has 988 in the first three digits of the local number — known as the working prefix — and you are used to skipping the area code, you must dial the full area code before the last seven digits.
If you start your local dialing with 988, you will be routed to the lifeline.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can also still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
If you or a loved one needs the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, you can also text 988 to be connected to a professional.
“988 could change the whole dynamic between law enforcement and behavioral health communities,” said John White, president of The Consortium.
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The Department of Health and Human Services awarded more than $100 million to states and territories to strengthen crisis call center services in advance of the 988 transition.
Pat Loeb, John McDevitt and KYW Staff contributed to this report.
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