NC officials mark second anniversary of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are marking the second anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

The lifeline transitioned from a ten-digit phone number to 988 in July 2022. The number connects users with trained counselors who offer crisis support and provide access to community-based resources.

In those two years, crisis counselors in North Carolina have responded to nearly 190,000 calls, texts, and chats. According to a news release, the number of residents who contacted 988 each month nearly doubled in its second year of service.

Since 988 made its debut, chat and text options in Spanish have been added, along with specialized services for veterans and LGBTQ+ people. And a dashboard has been incorporated allowing officials to monitor how 988 is being used.

Earlier this week, NCDHHS officials toured a 988 call center in Greenville to show appreciation to the crisis counselors.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available around the clock, seven days a week.