Starting July 16th: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will be 988

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is set to change phone number starting July 16, 2022 to 988.

On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255) will transition to an easy-to-remember, 3-digit number (988). This represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and expand the existing network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country. 988 callers will be connected to trained crisis counselors who can provide free, confidential emotional support, screening or referrals or dispatch a mobile crisis team.

Please note: The current Lifeline phone number (1.800.273.8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally. Either number can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Assistance is available in English and Spanish. Additionally, they provide tele-interpretation to their crisis lines in over 150 languages. For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255 or 988.

To read more about this change, visit the official announcement on the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.

For farmers in need of non-emergent crisis support or resources, please know you can always call the FarmAid Crisis Line during their operating hours Monday through Friday, 9am to 10pm ET at 1.800.FARMAID (1.800.327.6243). They are there to listen and direct you to any further assistance you may need. They have an online request for assistance form that can be filled out anytime and a representative from FarmAid’s HotLine team will be in touch.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will not replace the current Maine Crisis Line. It is an additional service added to the state’s mental health response plan. The Maine Crisis Line is 1.888.568.1112.