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The Latest Breaking News from 988

Minnesota's 988 Crisis Line Answered 83,000 Contacts in the First Half of 2026, More Than Triple Its First Six Months

Minnesota's 988 Lifeline hit 370,000 total contacts in four years, with 83,000 in just the first half of 2026. Here's what the surge in crisis calls means and how to access 988.

Medical Daily

Trump administration orders LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline to close within a month

The 988 crisis line connects thousands of young LGBT+ people to counseling every month

The Independent UK

Amid a $7 million deficit to Texas’ suicide hotline, thousands of calls are abandoned monthly

The state’s 988 suicide had the nation’s fifth highest rate of abandoned calls in August, the latest data available, amid a multi-million funding deficit that could worsen as federal dollars expire this year.

The Texas Tribune

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A year after the launch of 988, lack of trust and awareness an issue for the mental health hotline

PHILADELPHIA — Sappho Fulton's work with people experiencing homelessness requires her to navigate the community's mental health resources every day.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

988 mental health crisis line gets 5 million calls, texts and chats in first year

The 3-digit suicide prevention lifeline went live a year ago. More work is needed on the 988 system, but the first year has gone more smoothly than many expected.

WEKU

Police are not the answer for helping people in mental health crisis

The national 988 crisis hotline was supposed to divert calls away from 911, but too often, law enforcement is still the default response.

Chicago Sun-Times

Georgia’s mental health hotline is a national leader. Some worry about its expansion.

Georgia’s new 988 mental health hotline service, which launched last summer, was recognized on Friday as a model for other states. But some Democratic lawmakers in the Legislature say last-minute budget cuts made by the governor’s office could hamper the planned expansion of 988.

Tribune News Service

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As 988 crisis line sees more use, states debate how to pay for it

(Editor’s note: If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.)

Tribune News Service

988 Lifeline sees boost in use and funding in first months

The 3-digit suicide and crisis lifeline – 988 – fielded nearly half a million more calls, texts and chats in its first 5 months than the old 10-digit Lifeline did during the same time in 2021.

WEKU

Callers keep flooding 988 mental health, suicide helpline

The 988 mental health and suicide prevention helpline has quickly expanded its reach in the six months since it launched

The Independent UK

Douglas Emhoff tours 988 call center for mental health

Vice President Kamala Harris' husband will visit a new 988 call center that's part of the recently launched national hotline intended to help anyone experiencing a mental health emergency

The Independent UK

Editorial: 988 is a crucial lifeline — but needs federal guidance and funding to remain vital

For all the convulsive court decisions, congressional hearings, price increases, invasions, mass killings and social media takeovers, 2022 should also be remembered as the year of 988 — the nationwide crisis line that went live in July. If the states and the federal government do their work, the number could…

Los Angeles Times

Chicago’s revamped 988 suicide ‘lifeline’ seeks to allay fears of police ties

The nonprofit running the city’s only call center says it has received about 350 calls and hasn’t transferred any to police.

Chicago Sun-Times

How does 988 work?

Help for a mental health crisis is now just three digits away: 9-8-8.

Los Angeles Times

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Inverse

Need to use 988? 4 key questions about the new mental health crisis hotline, answered

You can chat online, text, or use an actual phone to reach counselors at the 988 crisis lifeline. Here's everything you need to know about the new service.

WEKU

New 988 mental health crisis line sees jump in calls and texts during first month

Mental health advocates say the numbers are encouraging, but there's more work to be done to build up state and local resources.

WEKU

At 988 call centers, crisis counselors offer empathy — and juggle limited resources

In a mental health crisis, a conversation with an empathetic listener can be live-saving. But when someone needs in-person help, there's a shortage of resources in many parts of the country.

WEKU

Social media posts warn people not to call 988. Here's what you need to know

Mental health advocates celebrated the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, but some people voiced concerns that using the service could lead to police involvement or forced hospitalization.

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Tribune News Service

The US mental health hotline network is expanding, but rural areas still face care shortages

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 988 phone number, which launched July 16, was designed as a universal mental health support tool for callers at any time anywhere.

Chicago Sun-Times

New 988 hotline is now 911 for mental health emergencies

It’s designed to be as easy to remember and use as 911, but instead of a dispatcher sending police, firefighters or paramedics, 988 will connect callers with trained mental health counselors.

The Independent UK

The National Suicide Hotline has changed its emergency number to 988

The new number will replace the current ten-digit number to reach help

Al Jazeera

988: US to launch mental health and suicide prevention hotline

Top US health official says the number, set to go live on Saturday, aims to make care accessible for more Americans.

WEKU

The new 988 mental health hotline is live. Here's what to know

Mental health advocates hope the new hotline will make it easier to get support if you're in crisis or helping someone who is. Here's how it works and what could stand in its way.

Axios

Ready or not, 988 mental health hotline prepares for launch

A new three-digit national suicide prevention and mental health hotline— 988 — debuts tomorrow, but it's not clear whether the service will be ready for primetime in many parts of the country.

Los Angeles Times

Commentary: Will the new 988 hotline be a game changer for mental health or a missed opportunity?

Today, the 911 system is taken for granted. Anyone, virtually anywhere in the United States, should be able to dial three digits during a physical health emergency and expect a fast, local response — sometimes making the difference between life and death.

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