September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a day focused on raising awareness about suicide prevention, reducing stigma surrounding mental health and, most importantly, making sure people know where to turn when they need help.
The 2026 theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” encourages people to replace silence and stigma with open, compassionate conversations about mental health and suicide. The World Health Organization says more than 720,000 people worldwide die by suicide each year, affecting families, friends, workplaces and communities.
At V-103, we want to use today to make potentially lifesaving information easier to find.
Whether you’re experiencing a mental-health crisis yourself, concerned about someone you love, struggling with substance use or simply going through a difficult period and need someone to talk to, help is available.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
One of the most important numbers to know is simply:
988
Anyone in the United States experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Online chat is also available.
The service is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
And there’s an important misconception worth clearing up:
You do not have to be suicidal to contact 988.
People can reach out when they’re experiencing emotional distress or another mental-health crisis. A counselor will ask about your safety, listen to what you’re experiencing, provide support and share additional resources when appropriate.
You can also contact 988 if you’re concerned about someone else and need help figuring out what to do.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
SAMHSA National Helpline
For people looking for assistance with mental-health or substance-use issues, another number to save is:
1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline provides free, confidential information and treatment referrals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Help is available in English and Spanish.
This resource can be particularly helpful for someone who isn’t necessarily experiencing an immediate crisis but needs help figuring out where to find treatment or ongoing support.
Looking for Mental-Health or Substance-Use Treatment?
Sometimes a crisis line isn’t what someone needs. You may be ready to find a therapist, treatment program or another form of ongoing care.
SAMHSA’s treatment locator helps people search for mental-health and substance-use treatment providers throughout the United States and its territories.
The service is confidential and anonymous and is also available in Spanish.
Find mental-health and substance-use treatment near you at FindTreatment.gov
Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans, active-duty service members and their loved ones have access to specialized crisis support through the Veterans Crisis Line.
Call 988 and press 1
Text 838255
The Veterans Crisis Line provides confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You do not have to be enrolled in VA health care or receiving VA benefits to use the service.
Veterans Crisis Line
Disaster Distress Helpline
Mental-health struggles can also arise after hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, mass-violence incidents and other natural or human-caused disasters.
The Disaster Distress Helpline provides year-round crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters.
Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
The service is available 24/7 to people in the United States and its territories and offers multilingual support.
What If You’re Worried About Someone Else?
You don’t have to be the person experiencing the crisis to reach out for help.
If you’re concerned that a friend, relative, coworker or loved one may be struggling, you can contact 988 yourself.
A crisis counselor can listen to the situation and help you determine how to support the person you’re worried about. The Veterans Crisis Line similarly allows people concerned about a Veteran to reach out for assistance.
Sometimes checking on someone can start with a simple conversation. You don’t have to have the perfect words or all the answers to let somebody know you’re there.
988 or 911: Which One Should You Call?
Knowing the difference can be important.
Call or text 988 when you or someone you know is experiencing a suicide-related, mental-health or emotional crisis and needs crisis support.
If there is an immediate medical emergency or imminent physical danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Save These Numbers — Even If You Don’t Need Them Today
You don’t have to wait until a crisis happens to save this information.
Put these resources in your phone:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP)
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1 or text 838255
Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990
Treatment Locator: FindTreatment.gov
Immediate medical emergency or imminent danger: 911
You may not need these resources today. But you never know when a friend, coworker, family member or someone else in your life may need to know where help is available.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, V-103 encourages our community to save these numbers, share them and check on the people we love.
