Just Like You Know 911, Know 988

One of the most horrifying things that can happen in a family is death by suicide. Just like you know 911 for emergencies, you should know 988 for the emergency of suicide prevention.

On 988lifeline.org, you’ll find several ways to get in touch with a suicide prevention counselor immediately. There are options to call, chat or text. You can also pick up any phone and just dial the three numbers, 988.

The 988 Lifeline began in July 2022. Before that time, the suicide hotline was a 10 digit phone number. Being more difficult to remember. 988 was thankfully created. This number is accessible for anyone experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis, and at any time.

In the first two years of 988’s inception, 10 million calls, texts and chats were answered. The texting option increased by 51% from 2023 to 2024, which tells us that the younger generation is using it. The service offers specialized options for LGBTQ+, Spanish speakers, veterans and hearing impaired.

988 has answered about 20,000 chats from Spanish speakers, as well as about 90,000 calls. There have been over 475,000 chats, calls and texts received by LGBTQ+ individuals, and about 20,000 video calls in American Sign Language.

What populations are most at risk of suicide?

According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022. The suicide rate in males was almost 4 times that of females in that year. Adults aged 35-64 are at the highest risk. For ages 24 and under, the rate of death by suicide is about 15 per 100,000 people.

Certain risk factors make adolescents more susceptible to suicide:

A history of mental illness
Previous suicide attempts
A family history of suicide
Bullying
Social isolation
Conflict with peers
Adverse childhood experiences or trauma
No access to mental health care
Marginalized populations, such as race, gender or sexuality

What are some of the signs of suicidal thoughts?

Often parents, friends and other family members don’t know the signs that someone is having suicidal thoughts. Here are some of the behaviors to look for when someone is having suicidal ideation, according to the 988 Lifeline website. The person may:

Talk about death and feelings of giving up hope
Have online search histories of looking up ways to die, or researching weapons
Talk about being a burden, or having no reason to live
Increase their use of alcohol or drugs
Exhibit reckless behavior
Sleep too little, or too much
Withdraw or isolate themselves from others
Be rageful, or talk about getting revenge
Have extreme mood swings

If you see any of these signs in a loved one, you should take action immediately.

What can you do when someone is showing these signs of suicidal thoughts?

You can call the 988 hotline yourself. In addition to offering support to the one with suicidal ideations, the counselors offer support and suggestions to help the one fearful for their loved one. Even the smallest of coaching can be the difference between life and death. If you are prepared for that critical emergency moment, it can make all the difference.

Be direct when confronting your loved one about suicide. This is not a time to dance around the subject. One of the best things you can do to offer support, is to be an active listener. That means ask questions, without showing shock, anger or dismissing his feelings. Stay calm and ask clarifying questions. Otherwise, you risk your loved one shutting down, and no longer sharing his feelings with you.

Strong relationships with family members, and within the community, help to build resilience to suicidal thoughts. Supportive relationships with caregivers are crucial.

You will want to remove any means of committing suicide that your loved one has access to. Take all weapons and drugs out of the home. Lock up any prescription medications.

The most important step is to get help from experts. The counselors at 988 can give more coaching details and direct you to local clinicians.

When should someone use the 988 lifeline?

If a person is experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm or emotional overwhelm. If one is in a substance use crisis or has attempted suicide, the emergency room at a hospital is the better choice. Calling 988 is not just for times of crisis. Anyone can call at any time for emotional support. Early intervention is paramount.

What can you expect when you call the lifeline?

When you call the lifeline, you will experience a short recorded message, followed by hold music while you are connected to a counselor. Once you are connected to a counselor, you will be asked questions about your safety, and how you or your loved one can best be supported. The counselor will share helpful resources. Both the chat service and texting option are similar, with individualized communication in print.

988 consists of over 200 local contact centers that will provide innovative evidence based and best practices, as well as local resources.

Talk to your loved one about using the 988 lifeline when needed.

This is very important — Make sure your loved one knows about 988, emphasizing that seeking mental health support is good. Assure her that she can call 988, even if she is not feeling suicidal.

Reassure your loved one that the 988 lifeline is a free, confidential service available 24/7 to provide support, guidance and hope. By encouraging him to reach out when he’s struggling, you help him understand that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

At Therapeutic Educational Consulting, we are advocates through all kinds of therapeutic answers. Schedule a no-cost discovery call with Rae Guyer, your therapeutic consultant to discuss options.