The New Mental Health 911, Just Call 988

A new mental health line will work to connect people in a mental health crisis to experts trained in how to respond. Due to a lack of resources, the new hotline likely will be delayed in being fully functional, but the kinks are likely to be worked out.

“Remembering a three-digit number beats a 10-digit number any day, particularly in times of crisis,” Xavier Becerra, the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, said in a December 2021 statement.

Robert Gebbia, CEO, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: It's a big need for crisis response. Many people who struggle are not calling for help. And many, about half of those who die by suicide are not in any treatment at the time of their death. So this is a way to close that gap. And we want the public to know what's available.

So we're very excited about the potential that it has.

There are concerns not everyone is ready for the launch of the mental health hotline. State and local agencies seem unprepared for its rollout, according to a recent report from the research group the Rand Corporation. according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The hotline also aims to reduce reliance on the police and relieve emergency room overcrowding.

New Mexico has until mid-December to present a final plan for implementing 988 to the FCC. Currently the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line is hiring to ensure capacity for calls coming in for 988 calls handling mental health emergencies.

988 launches across the United States on July 16, 2022. See the following fact sheet for more information.