Share the Number. Spread the Word. 

The 988 Awareness Project was founded to spread awareness of the 988 dialing code, which became official as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in July 2022. 

This free, life-saving service connects people struggling with suicidal thoughts or any mental health or substance use crisis, and their loved ones, with trained mental health counselors across a network of 200+ local calling centers. It's available 24/7/365.

The 988 Awareness Project is a nonprofit founded by a teenager from a military family in order to spread awareness about this life-saving resource, especially among military veterans, teenagers and young adults. These groups are at much higher risk of suicide: 

  • Military veterans at a rate of 50 percent higher than peers who have not served
  • 1 in 5 teens has thought about suicide

By the Numbers

  • Suicide is the second-leading cause of death of young people between the ages of 10 and 34 (CDC)
  • 10% of all high school students attempt suicide every year (CDC)
  • More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and lung disease combined (The Jason Foundation)

  • Veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than those who haven’t served (Stop Soldier Suicide)
  • Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for veterans under 45 years of age (Stop Soldier Suicide)
  • Every day, an estimated 24 U.S. military veterans die by suicide (America’s Warrior Partnership)

Did You Know?

You can call or text 988 24/7 for free, confidential support for a mental health crisis.

Military veterans who are in emotional distress can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and immediately press the number 1 for help..

People can also call or text 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing mental-health related distress. That could be:

- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health or substance use crisis
- Any other kind of emotional distress

Numerous studies have shown that most callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking to a 988 Lifeline crisis counselor.

Currently, calls to the 988 Lifeline are automatically routed to the closest 988 Lifeline crisis center based on the area code of the phone being used.

988 serves as a universal entry point; no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

People contacting the 988 Lifeline are not required to provide any personal data to receive services.

The 988 Lifeline currently provides live crisis center calling services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages.

 

Help us spread the word about 988,

and help save lives.