Maine’s launch of 988 – connecting you to local providers

On July 16, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was changed nationally to an easy to remember, 3 digit number (988). Maine has been preparing for this change for over a year. A new article published in the Portland Press Herald by Edward Murphy explains what makes Maine’s launch so unique. To read the full article, visit the Press Herald website.

“Nationally, 988 calls are routed to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and in Maine they go to the Maine Crisis Line, which has been in operation since 2018 and is administered by the state and managed by The Opportunity Alliance of South Portland.

Mainers who call 988 will be routed through the Lifeline network and connected to a trained crisis specialist with the Maine Crisis Line. Those specialists provide therapeutic support and assessment and connections with community-based resources, such as one of the state’s regional mobile crisis teams.

‘The 988 Lifeline represents a new, easily accessible front door for Maine’s statewide crisis services,’ Jeanne Lambrew, DHHS Commissioner, said.”

The Maine Crisis Line will continue to take calls and texts 24/7 at 1.888.568.1112. The previous National Suicide Prevention Line will still be available for those in mental health crisis, in addition to calls and texts to 988. Regardless of the number that Mainers call or text, help is available 24/7 in English and Spanish, as well as interpretation in 150 languages and assistance for deaf or hard of hearing individuals. For TTY: Use your preferred relay service or dial 7-1-1 then 988 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) or 1.888.568.1112 (The Maine Crisis Line).