988

[nahyn-eyt-eyt]

1. (in the United States) the telephone number for a mental health crisis hotline staffed by licensed counselors and other staff trained in suicide prevention.

Word History and Origins

Origin of 988¹

First recorded in 2022

Example Sentences

Call 988 to connect to trained mental health counselors or text “HOME” to 741741 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Both Raiders and Cowboys players wore shirts honoring Kneeland during pre-game warm-ups, with the Raiders jerseys carrying the number "988" of a suicide prevention helpline.

Read more on Barron's

During a four-hour conversation before Shamblin shot himself with a handgun, the lawsuit says that ChatGPT repeatedly glorified suicide but only mentioned the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline once.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If you need to talk, or if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Read more on Slate

If you are in need of help, 988 is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Read more on Slate