Need for 988

Too many people are experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need, and sadly, the pandemic only made a bad situation worse when it comes to mental health and wellness in America.

There are urgent realities driving the need for crisis service transformation across our country. 

In 2021:

• The U.S. had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes

• For people aged 10–14 and 25–34 years, suicide was the second-leading cause of death

• Suicide rates increased significantly among non-Hispanic Black & American Indian and Alaska Native people

• Nearly 900,000 youth aged 12-17 and 1.7 million adults attempted suicide

• About 107,000 people died from drug overdoses

Yet, there is hope. The 988 Lifeline helps thousands of people struggling to overcome suicidal crises or mental health-related distress every day.