988 marks first anniversary

July 16 marks one year since the country transitioned to 988 as the easy-to-remember number to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).

Congress designated 988 in 2020 and the Lifeline transitioned to the 3-digit number July 16, 2022. The transition to 988 is an important step forward and offers an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and transform crisis care in our country.

Data for the months following the transition to 988 continue to show an increase in overall calls, texts and chats from the year prior – all while ans...