988 Lifeline Usage Varies Across States, Study Reveals

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, established in 2022 to improve crisis response, has handled over 16 million calls, texts, and chats. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides funding for the lifeline, which is managed by Vibrant Emotional Health, a mental health company. The lifeline connects individuals with counselors at over 200 crisis centers, offering round-the-clock support.

Researchers from New York University and Johns Hopkins Medicine have analyzed data to identify states with the highest utilization of the lifeline. The study revealed significant variations in usage rates across different states. Alaska and Vermont showed the highest rates, while Delaware and Alabama had the lowest.

Regionally, the West recorded the highest volume of calls, texts, and chats, mirroring the trend from the previous year. The South experienced the lowest volume. New York and Colorado also demonstrated high usage during the study period.

The researchers acknowledged the absence of demographic information in their initial estimates of 988 use. They adjusted their prevalence estimates based on assumptions about repeat contacts to the Crisis Text Line. This adjustment considered the average number of times individuals contacted the lifeline.

The study highlighted the potential for increased utilization of the lifeline, noting that the contact rate is less than half the rate of emergency department visits involving mental health diagnoses. The authors suggested that state-level variations in use correlate with funding and legislative focus.

The study also pointed out that lower usage rates in the South, a more politically conservative region, align with previous research indicating less favorable attitudes toward the lifeline among Republicans compared to Democrats.

Furthermore, funding for specialized services within the crisis line, specifically for LGBT+ youth, is facing potential cuts. Despite this, the Health and Human Services fiscal year 2026 budget proposal maintains overall funding for the lifeline. Lawmakers have expressed concerns about these cuts, citing the significant number of daily contacts these services receive.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a substantial portion of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in the past year, and a significant number of high school students reported poor mental health.