988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

What You Need To Know

On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) will transition to an easy-to-remember, 3-digit number (988). Options for texting and online chat will also become more available. This is a federally-required telecom change and Delaware, like every state, has been preparing for it. Along with a multidisciplinary 988 Planning Coalition, Delaware's Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health has developed a plan to ensure there is 24/7 statewide coverage and an enhanced capacity to handle the expected increase in call volume.

Que Necesita Saber
El 16 de julio de 2022, la Línea Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio (1-800-273-8255) pasará a ser un número de 3 dígitos fácil de recordar (988). Opciones para mensajes de texto y el chat en línea estarán más disponibles. Este es un cambio de telecomunicaciones federalmente requerido y Delaware, como todos los estados, se ha estado preparando para esto. Junto con una Coalición de Planificación 988 multidisciplinaria, la División de Abuso de Sustancias y Salud Mental de Delaware ha desarrollado un plan para garantizar que haya cubrimiento 24/7 a nivel estatal y capacidad aumentada para atender el volumen de llamadas incrementado previsto.
Preparing for 988/Spanish

Sa Ou Bezwen Konnen
Nan dat 16 jiyé 2022, Nimewo Ijans Nasyonal pou Prevansyon kont Swisid la (1-800-273-8255) te chanje pou l vin yon nimewo 3 chif (988) ki fasil pou sonje. Opsyon pou voye téks ak tchat sou enténét ap vin plis disponib tou. Sa se yon chanjman telekominikasyon gouvénman federal te ekzije; epi Delaware, tankou lót eta, t ap prepare pou li. Avék yon Kowalisyon Planifikasyon 988 Miltidisipliné, Divizyon Konsomasyon Dwóg ak Sante Mantal Delaware te elabore yon plan pou yo asire yo genyen yon kouvéti 24 sou 24, 7 jou sou 7 nan tout eta a ak yon kapasite ki amelyore pou jere ogmantasyon nan kantite apél yo te atann.
Preparing for 988/Haitian Creole

ABOUT 988

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) will switch to an easy-to-remember, 3-digit number (988) on July 16, 2022.
988 will accept calls, texts and chats from anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis. People also can contact 988 if they are concerned about a loved one in crisis.
During the first year of 988, people with a Delaware area code who reach out to 988 will be connected with ContactLifeline, Delaware's only Lifeline Center.
As early as the end of 2022, Delaware will add a second Lifeline Center operated by DHSS's Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

ABOUT CONTACTLIFELINE

ContactLifeline, Inc. has been operating in Delaware since 1974 and has been serving as the state's only National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Center.
ContactLifeline provides telephone counseling, crisis intervention, referral information, education, and prevention services for persons in crisis, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
ContactLifeline is funded in part by Delaware's Department of Health and Social Services using federal funds, as well as through the Delaware Criminal Justice Council.

What You Can Do To Prepare for 988

FOR INDIVIDUALS

Call 988 or continue to call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline when you or your loved ones experience suicidal crises.
Continue to use existing crisis hotline services as additional resources, especially if an in-person response is needed.
- Adult Crisis Hotline:
  1-800-652-2929 (Northern DE)
  1-800-345-6785 (Southern DE)
- Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-969-HELP (4357)
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

Begin conversations with staff in your agency on the existing referral sources and how they can expand to better serve individuals experiencing crisis.
Continue to provide clients and other individuals:
- Adult Crisis Hotline:
  1-800-652-2929 (Northern DE)
  1-800-345-6785 (Southern DE)
- Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-969-HELP (4357)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)

FOR STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL AGENCIES

Watch for updates as the 988 transition continues in 2023, and services and staffing expand.
Engage local partners such as behavioral health providers, law enforcement agencies, medical providers and schools to discuss how your community will use 988.

FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, PARAMEDICS AND 911 CENTERS

The National Emergency Number Association 911-988 Interoperability Standards Workgroup will release recommendations on 911 and 988 interactions this summer.
Delaware has a statewide 911-988 Coordinating Workgroup that will continue to meet through the transition and implementation of 988.