988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The United States' national crisis line. Call or text 988 from anywhere in the country, at any hour, free.
988 is the national three-digit number for suicide and mental health crises, replacing the older ten-digit Lifeline number in 2022. Calls and texts are routed to a local crisis center where possible, so the person answering usually knows what services exist near you.
It is not only for suicidal thoughts. The line is for anyone in emotional distress, and for anyone worried about someone else.
There is a Spanish-language service and an ASL videophone option, and pressing 1 connects to the Veterans Crisis Line.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text or chat with a trained crisis counselor, 24/7, nationwide.
- United States
- 988
Call 988
Free from any phone in the US, 24 hours a day.
Open 24 hours, every day
- Free to call
- Interpreters available
Checked 7 October 2026 against their own page
- 988
Text 988
Texting reaches the same trained counselors as the phone line. Text AYUDA to 988 for a Spanish-speaking counselor.
Open 24 hours, every day
- Free to call
Checked 7 October 2026 against their own page
- Start a chat
Chat with 988 online
Open 24 hours, every day
- Free to call
Checked 14 October 2026 against their own page
- Connect
ASL videophone service for Deaf and hard of hearing callers
Open 24 hours, every day
- Free to call
Checked 14 October 2026 against their own page
People contact them about: thinking about suicide, hurting myself, nothing feels worth it, depression, anxiety and panic, worried about someone else, alcohol and drugs, completely alone.
Other organisations
- Crisis Text LineFree, 24/7 crisis support by text message with a trained volunteer counselor.
- Veterans Crisis LineConfidential crisis support for veterans, service members and their families — you do not need to be enrolled in VA care.
- The Trevor ProjectCrisis support for LGBTQ+ young people under 25, by phone, text or chat, at any hour.
- SAMHSA National HelplineA free, confidential treatment referral line for mental health and substance use, run by the federal government.
Is something here wrong?
A number that no longer works is the most serious thing that can go wrong on this site. If you have tried one of these and it did not connect, please tell us and we will check it the same day.
We are not affiliated with 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and we do not speak for them. This page describes their service as they publish it; their own site is always the authority.