Medically reviewed by Kevin Wandler, MD, Chief Medical Advisor
If you’re in crisis right now, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org. If you or someone else is in immediate danger or having a medical emergency, such as an overdose, call 911.
The 988 Lifeline gives people in Texas and across the country a simple way to reach trained crisis counselors any time. This guide explains what 988 is, when to use it, what happens when you reach out and how it fits with other crisis services in Texas.
What 988 Is
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local and regional crisis centers. In July 2022, the three-digit number 988 became the easy-to-remember way to reach it. Support is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone call, text or online chat.
The older 10-digit Lifeline number still connects to the same service, so if you have it saved, it will still work.
When to Reach Out
You don’t have to be thinking about suicide to contact 988. It’s for anyone experiencing emotional distress, including:
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- A mental health crisis, such as overwhelming anxiety, panic or depression
- A substance use crisis, such as feeling unable to stop or worrying about your safety
- Feeling hopeless, alone or unable to cope
- Worry about someone else who may be in crisis
What Happens When You Contact 988
When you call, you’ll hear a brief greeting and options, and then you’ll be connected to a trained crisis counselor. The counselor will:
- Listen to what you’re going through without judgment
- Ask about your safety, including whether you’re thinking about suicide
- Help you work through the immediate crisis and identify ways to cope
- Share resources and connect you with local services when helpful
The Lifeline aims to support people in the least restrictive way possible. Emergency services are generally involved only when someone is at imminent risk and safety can’t be established another way.
988 in Texas
When you contact 988 from Texas, the Lifeline works to connect you with a crisis center that can serve your area, with national backup centers available if needed. Texas also has local mental health and behavioral health authorities that provide crisis services in their communities, including crisis lines and, in many areas, mobile crisis teams that can respond in person. Texas Health and Human Services has information about local crisis services.
988 or 911: Which Should You Call?
- Call 911 for medical emergencies, overdoses, injuries or immediate danger to anyone’s life.
- Call or text 988 for emotional support, suicidal thoughts or a mental health or substance use crisis when there’s no immediate medical emergency.
If you’re not sure and someone’s life may be at risk, call 911.
Options for Specific Needs
- Veterans and service members: dial 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
- Spanish speakers: Spanish-language support is available.
- Deaf and hard of hearing: you can text 988, chat online, or use TTY with your preferred relay service. Videophone service in American Sign Language is also available.
How to Help Someone Else
If you’re worried about someone, you can make a difference:
- Ask directly. Asking someone whether they’re thinking about suicide doesn’t put the idea in their head, and it can open the door to help.
- Listen. Take their feelings seriously and avoid judgment.
- Help keep them safe. Reducing access to lethal means, such as firearms or stockpiled medications, can save lives.
- Connect them. Offer to call or text 988 together.
- Follow up. Checking in after a crisis shows you care.
Supporting someone in crisis can be draining. It’s okay to call 988 for guidance on how to help, and to look after your own well-being too. For more guidance, see our page on supporting a loved one.
Making a Personal Safety Plan
A safety plan is a short, written guide you create ahead of time, ideally with a counselor or therapist, for moments when distress starts to build. It often includes:
- Personal warning signs that a crisis may be developing
- Coping strategies you can use on your own, such as a walk, music or a breathing exercise
- People and places that offer healthy distraction
- Friends or family members you can ask for help
- Professionals and crisis lines to contact, including 988
- Steps to make your surroundings safer
Keep the plan somewhere easy to find, such as your phone, and share it with someone you trust.
After the Crisis: Ongoing Care
A crisis call can be a turning point. For some people, the next step is ongoing treatment. Promises Dallas-Fort Worth offers mental health treatment for adults, including residential care for conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and PTSD. For people facing both substance use and mental health challenges, dual diagnosis treatment addresses both together. Treatment can include individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 988 only for suicidal thoughts?
No. 988 is for anyone in emotional distress, including mental health and substance use crises, and for people worried about someone else.
Will police come if I call 988?
Usually not. Counselors work to resolve crises through conversation and local resources. Emergency services are generally involved only when there’s imminent risk that can’t be reduced another way.
Is 988 confidential?
Yes. The Lifeline is a confidential service. You can read its privacy policies at 988lifeline.org.
Can I text 988 instead of calling?
Yes. Texting and online chat are available for people who find it easier to write than to talk.
Ongoing Support Is Available
If you or a loved one needs treatment after a crisis, we can help you explore options. Review our insurance options, contact us, or call (469) 546-9303. Our admissions line is available 24/7. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 now.