National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 988

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is switching to a three-digit number (9-8-8) on July 16, 2022. Alaska is preparing to transition to 988 but until it is active you can still call the Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or the Alaska Careline at 877-266-HELP.

Having an easy-to-remember number for those needing mental health support has been in the planning stages for many years. In 2020, Congress designated 988 as the new dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network of local call centers, which are staffed by trained crisis counselors.

988 is more than just a number—it is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible support for anyone experiencing mental health related distress, including thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. 

Frequently Asked Questions about 988

When will Alaska switch to 988?

988 will go live in Alaska on July 16, 2022. People who call, text, or chat with 988 will be directly connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The existing Lifeline phone number (800-273-8255) will remain available.

Who should call 988?

988 can be used by anyone, any time. 988 is a direct connection to compassionate care and support for anyone who might be experiencing suicidal thoughts, who is at risk of suicide, or who is struggling with emotional distress. The Lifeline is free and confidential, with operators that treat callers with respect and listen without judgment.

If you are calling about a friend or family member who is in distress, the person on the phone will walk you through how to help and provide resources. No matter your circumstances, there is no wrong door when accessing the Lifeline.

What happens when I call 988?

If you are in crisis or suicidal and call 988 you will talk to a highly trained and compassionate call center professional. All calls are routed to a call center where a crisis counselor will provide confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone of any age, including non-English speakers and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

You typically will be greeted by an automated system and selection of prompts including options for Spanish speakers and Veterans. A trained crisis counselor will answer the phone and assess the situation and risk to determine how to best respond in order to keep the caller safe. Calls may last for as long as the caller needs to talk through the situation. In rare cases, the crisis counselor might need to alert local law enforcement to make sure a person is safe. In many cases a follow-up call will occur within an agreed upon timeframe.

Is 988 replacing the Careline?

No. The Careline provides suicide prevention response, but it is also a number that Alaskans can call if they are feeling sad, depressed or just need someone to talk to. When launched on July 16, 2022, 988 will be available to Alaskans along with Careline (877-266-HELP), which will continue to take calls like before. 

Information about the Careline can be found on the Careline Alaska website.

Why Do We Need 988?

Alaska and the nation are experiencing a mental health crisis. But the crisis is not irreversible.

• In Alaska in 2020, suicide was the leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 10-19, and for youth ages 10-14.  Suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death overall for all Alaska youth and young adults, ages 15-34.
• According to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2019, over 1 in 3 Alaska high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 or more weeks in a row; 25% seriously considered attempting suicide; and nearly 20% attempted suicide.
• When fully implemented, 988 will improve Alaska’s system of care that responds to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
• Those statistics are sobering, but there is good news:
• Suicide is most often preventable. For every person who dies by suicide annually, there are 316 people who seriously consider suicide but do not kill themselves.
• Over 90% of people who attempt suicide go on to live out their lives.

988 is a critical tool to help meet these challenges with evidence-based crisis intervention. The goal of 988 is to provide a simple and direct way for Alaskans to connect to resources and ultimately, to save lives.