What is 9-8-8?
9-8-8 is America’s first 3-digit number dedicated to suicide prevention and crisis support.
It is a national portal for connecting to local service. 9-8-8 calls from Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties will be answered 24/7 by Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast who have been answering local crisis calls for more than 50 years.
- 988 is a national network of over 200 local, independent, and state-funded crisis centers equipped to help people in emotional distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis.
- When people call the local line or Lifeline (988), they are connected to trained counselors (staff and volunteers) that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if and when necessary.
- Moving to 988 will not replace the Lifeline, rather it will be an easier way to access a strengthened and expanded network of crisis call centers.
- 988 will provide easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from 911 (where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police as needed).
- Suicide Prevention Service Central Coast’s local Lifeline phone number (1-877-663-5433) will remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally.
- Does Suicide Prevention Services offer chat/text?
- Not yet. Currently text messages are routed to one of our 988 Lifeline California partner.
- How is 988 different than 911?
- 988 was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. 988 will provide easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from the public safety purposes of 911 (where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police as needed).
- How will 988 and 911 complement each other?
- The 988 and 911 systems will need to be closely coordinated to seamlessly allow referral of callers for appropriate care or response that addresses the unique circumstances present with each crisis encounter. Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast is actively engaged with our 911 counterparts at the local level to plan for smooth coordination between the two services.
- Will 988 calls be referred to 911?
- Currently, a small percentage of Lifeline calls require activation of the 911 system when there is imminent risk to someone’s life that cannot be reduced during the Lifeline call. In these cases, the crisis counselor shares information with 911 that is crucial to saving the caller’s life.
- Are calls kept confidential?
- Calls to the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Line are confidential, but we are required to report to outside agencies and/or get additional help in certain situations, including immediate risk of suicide or homicide and minor, elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect. Certain calls may be recorded or supervised for quality assurance. No call information will be shared unless the above criteria are met.
More resources
Fact sheet (English) |
Fact sheet (Spanish) |
