9-8-8, The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Hi everybody, I’m Fran Reicherter from Inspiring My Generation here to tell you about 9-8-8. It’s the new and easy-to-remember number to call or text if you or your loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts or having a behavioral health crisis. • 988 will connect you 24/7 with a well-trained counselor who can determine what type of help you need. • If you need someone to come TO YOU, mental health mobile response teams can meet you where you are. • Or, the counselor can direct you to the nearest crisis receiving facility or other crisis stabilization center for more help and connections to the right services in your community. Besides calling or texting, you can also send a chat from 988lifeline.org/chat! 988 does not replace 911 or 211. 9-1-1 is still the number to call when you need medical, fire, or police right away. 2-1-1 offers vital community referrals to help people find local resources. 9-8-8 connects you to your local call center that is part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In Florida, many Lifelines are 211s that have been providing counseling for years. Like most states, Florida is in the process of strengthening its 988 call centers to handle more calls. Your calls won’t be dropped, but they may go to a backup center outside your area. Currently, your call will be routed to the Lifeline call center based on your area code, although calls can be transferred to other Lifelines. So, what’s next? We need to advocate for stronger support services that work with 988 so that people in crisis get the help they need when they need it. Please tell your friends and family about 988. And ask your local and state policymakers to make 988 a top priority in the Sunshine State!