Reaching out for help can take a lot of courage, especially when you’re in the midst of a crisis. That’s why it’s important to know what to expect when dialing 988. Once you get connected, you will hear a brief message that gives you some options. Pressing 1 will connect you to the Veterans Crisis Line. You can press 2 to connect to 988’s Spanish-language service, or simply wait on the line to connect to your local 988 center. Next, you will hear some hold music until you are connected to your crisis counselor.
Upon reaching your crisis counselor, they will invite you to talk. This can be scary, and it’s okay if it takes you a moment to open up. While you’re telling us about your situation, your crisis counselor should ask you 2 important questions: 1) Have you had any thoughts of suicide recently, including today? And, 2) Have you taken any action to harm yourself today? These questions are asked so we can get a sense of your safety.
As your call continues, your crisis counselor will listen to you, hear how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful. It’s up to you how much you decide to tell and what you would like to talk about while on your call. During your call, your crisis counselor may brainstorm solutions with you and help you weigh the pros and cons of options. The decision is always up to you.
If you’ve been experiencing thoughts of suicide, your 988 crisis counselor will do their best to try and help you stay safe while you engage with them. They may ask you if you have made any plans for suicide, have any means to harm yourself, or any timeline to act on those thoughts. Our goal is to always use the Least Invasive Intervention possible. In most cases, simply talking with your crisis counselor will be enough to help you stay safe. If you don’t feel that’s enough, just tell your crisis counselor, and they can explore other options with you, including: Safety Planning, Mobile Crisis, or Emergency Services Intervention. One common misconception is that if you tell 988 you are feeling suicidal, they will send EMS or Law Enforcement. There is no need to worry, as we are always working to collaborate with you in finding the best solution for you. The truth is that EMS or Law Enforcement only go out in less than 1% of calls, generally when the caller is in imminent risk of danger.
As your call with 988 wraps up, your crisis counselor may offer a follow-up call for a day or two after your initial call. This is just a check-in to see how you are doing and if you’ve made connection to any resources or other services. You may choose to accept or decline the follow-up call. Before ending the call, they may also ask if you need any resources and what your plans are after the call. Before you hang up, they will always remind you that you can call back, any time, 24/7.
The 988 Lifeline is available any time to provide judgment-free care. If you’re feeling hesitant, you can always reach out to test the experience. We are here to provide support whenever you are in crisis.
