07/05/2022

988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launches July 16

The 988 National Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline launches nationally and in Ohio on July 16, 2022. From that day forward, Ohioans can call 988 for any behavioral health crisis. While national and statewide 988 public awareness campaigns will not begin until 2023, as local public-serving organizations and community agencies consider opportunities to educate their residents about the 988 service, key messages can include:

• Remember – there is hope and help. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or addiction related crisis that is non-life-threatening (thoughts of suicide, emotional distress, or substance use/addiction), call, chat or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support. If you or someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call 911.

• Call, text or chat 988 for a mental health, addiction, or suicide crisis. For police, fire, or emergency rescue, call 911.

OhioMHAS and SAMHSA have made several resources available to help communities and stakeholders share information about 988. More information can be found at:

• Ohio Resources - https://mha.ohio.gov/988
• National SAMHSA Toolkit - https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/partner-toolkit
• When to Call 988 vs When to Call 911 - https://mha.ohio.gov/static/AboutUs/Priorities/988vs911.pdf
• SAMHSA just released new 988 printable wallet cards, magnets, posters, and safety plan forms on the Partner Toolkit. SAMHSA provides organizations the ability to order limited supplies from the SAMHSA Store. If you need larger orders than SAMHSA can send, you can use the printer-ready files to make your own. For those who need just a few copies of an item, you can print those using the simple PDF download.