In the United States, 988 connects people experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress with a crisis counselor. You can also contact 988 because you are worried about someone else.
If there is immediate physical danger, an active attempt, or a medical emergency, contact emergency services immediately.
What you can do now
Take these steps in order.
1
Call 988, text 988, or use the official online chat.
2
You can begin with: “I do not feel safe,” or “I am worried about someone.”
3
If you need urgent medical help or someone is in immediate physical danger, contact emergency services.
Words you can use
Copy, send, or say this:
“I am having thoughts of suicide and I need help figuring out how to stay safe tonight.”
When should I contact 988?
Call, text, or chat 988 when you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, a mental-health or substance-use crisis, emotional distress, or concern about someone else. You do not need to decide whether the situation is serious enough before reaching out. For an active attempt, urgent medical need, or immediate physical danger, contact emergency services.
When you call
You will hear a brief greeting and options for specialized services. Your call is routed to a crisis center, where a counselor will listen, ask about safety, provide support, and help identify next steps.
When you text or chat
After a short initial process, you are connected with a counselor who can listen, understand what is happening, offer support, and share resources. Wait times can vary.
Cost, confidentiality, and privacy
The 988 Lifeline describes its service as free and confidential, but confidential is not the same as anonymous. The Lifeline explains that it usually receives the phone number used for a call or text, or the device IP address used for chat, and that counselors may document information shared during the conversation. You do not have to provide your name or location to receive support. Some centers may record calls for quality or training, and emergency intervention may be used in limited circumstances. Read the official confidentiality and What to Expect pages for current details.
You can call about someone else
You do not have to know whether the situation is “serious enough.” A counselor can help you think through what you are seeing and what action to take.
Common questions
Clear answers for the next decision.
What does 988 mean?
988 is the three-digit number for the United States Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It connects people experiencing suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or concern about someone else with a crisis counselor.
When should I call or text 988?
Contact 988 for suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, a mental-health or substance-use crisis, or concern about someone else. Contact emergency services for an active attempt, urgent medical need, or immediate physical danger.
What happens after I call 988?
You hear a brief greeting and service options, then connect with a counselor who asks whether you are safe, listens, provides support, and may share helpful resources.
Is 988 trustworthy and confidential?
The 988 Lifeline describes conversations as confidential and explains its information practices publicly. Confidential is not the same as anonymous: the service generally receives the calling or texting phone number, or a chat device’s IP address, and information shared may be documented. Review the official confidentiality page for current details.
What does a 988 counselor ask?
A counselor will generally ask whether you are safe, listen to what is happening, provide support, and discuss resources or next steps that may help.
Does it cost money to call or text 988?
The Lifeline service is free. Depending on a person’s phone plan, ordinary carrier charges may still apply, and separate medical or emergency services can have their own costs.
Qualified review pending — not clinically endorsed. A 988 or crisis-systems accuracy reviewer and a licensed mental-health clinician must review this page.
Last editorial update
August 8, 2026
Review schedule
Initial qualified review required before broad promotion
Editorial status
Cited editorial guidance. It is not clinically endorsed. A 988 or crisis-systems accuracy reviewer and a licensed mental-health clinician must review this page.
