Two Numbers, One Goal: Saving Lives
Understanding 911 and 988: Similarities, Differences, and the Evolution of Emergency Response in the U.S.
When emergencies happen, a quick call can save lives. Most Americans are familiar with dialing 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies, but people are less familiar with 988, a newer resource designed to respond to mental health and suicide crises. While both numbers serve as lifelines during critical moments, they were created to serve very different needs. Understanding their similarities and differences helps ensure people get the right kind of help when moments count.
Shared Purpose: Rapid Access to Help
Both 911 and 988 exist to provide immediate support during emergencies. Each number connects callers with trained responders and serves as a centralized access point for crisis situations. Both systems are available 24/7/365 and are free to call, reinforcing their role as essential public safety tools.
However, that’s where their similarities end—each was developed to address specific types of emergencies and is equipped with different resources and trained personnel.
911: The Traditional Emergency Line
The idea of a national emergency number in the U.S. was first proposed in 1967. The very first 911 call was placed in Haleyville, Alabama in 1968, marking the beginning of what would become a nationwide system. However, implementation wasn’t instant or consistent. It wasn’t until the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 that 911 was officially designated as the national emergency number for all Americans.
That same legislation also required the development of Enhanced 911 (E911), which included caller location tracking—a key advancement for dispatchers to send help faster and more accurately.
Today, 911 dispatchers can connect callers with police, firefighters, and paramedics. It’s the number to call for crimes in progress, accidents, medical emergencies, fires, and situations involving immediate physical danger.
988: A Modern Lifeline for Mental Health
By contrast, 988 is a national suicide and crisis lifeline launched in July 2022, making it a relatively new addition to the landscape of emergency response. The goal of 988 is to provide a dedicated, easy-to-remember number for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, emotional distress, or suicidal thoughts.
Prior to 988, mental health support was fragmented, relying on a patchwork of local hotlines or the longer 10-digit number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The creation of 988 unified those services under a single, national system, making access faster and more consistent.
When someone dials 988, they’re connected with trained crisis counselors, not law enforcement or EMTs (unless absolutely necessary). South Carolina is building out mobile crisis teams and mental health urgent care centers to support this system, reducing the reliance on emergency rooms or jails for mental health needs.
Additionally, 988 offers multiple ways to access support. Individuals can call to speak with a counselor in real time in English or Spanish or, if they prefer, send a text from their cell phone. Support is also available online through the national website 988Lifeline.org or 988SC.org for those in South Carolina. Both sites offer a live chat option, and individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) can now connect with a counselor via video for direct, accessible support.
Key Differences
| 911 | 988 |
|---|---|
| Established in 1968, nationally recognized in 1999 | Launched nationally in 2022 |
| Designed for physical emergencies (crime, fire, medical) | Designed for mental health crises and suicide prevention |
| Dispatches police, fire, and EMS | Connects to crisis counselors; may activate mobile mental health teams |
| E911 includes location tracking and caller ID | Anonymous if desired; caller location not automatically shared |
| Overwhelmed dispatch centers may not have mental health expertise | Staff trained specifically in de-escalation and emotional support |
Which Number Should You Call?
- Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to life or safety, such as a fire, serious injury, active crime, or medical emergency.
- Call 988 if you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, thoughts of suicide, a panic attack, or any mental health crisis—especially when there’s no immediate physical danger.
A Future of Coordinated Care
As 988 continues to grow and integrate with existing health systems, it represents a major step forward in treating mental health with the same urgency and compassion as physical health. Meanwhile, 911 remains a critical pillar of public safety.
Together, 911 and 988 form a more complete emergency response system—one that acknowledges the full spectrum of human wellbeing and crisis care, from the physical to the emotional.
