What the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers and how it's used
NPRWednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:00:59 AM
Three years ago, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) launched as a quick-access helpline for people in distress, connecting callers to trained counselors and local crisis centers. While millions have used it since, a new study reveals that awareness of the service is still spotty in parts of the U.S., leaving gaps in who can benefit from this critical resource.
Editor’s Note: The 988 lifeline is a lifeline in the truest sense—it’s there to help people in their darkest moments. But if folks don’t know it exists, it can’t do its job. This story highlights both progress (millions reached) and a glaring need: better outreach so no one slips through the cracks. It’s a reminder that launching a service is just step one; making sure people use it is the real challenge.
— Curated via WP Now’s
