IN CRISIS: Call or text 988

DBHIDS - Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.

Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

IN CRISIS: Call or text 988

DBHIDS - Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.

IN CRISIS: Call or text 988

DBHIDS - Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.

Organization

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers skilled, compassionate help for mental health and substance use problems for anyone at any time.

 Call 988 | Text 988 | Chat 988lifeline.org

No Judgment. Just Help.  

When you call, text, or chat 988 a skilled, caring counselor will listen to you and talk through your situation — no matter what you’re going through.  

Learn more at 988Philly.org

You have options:

  • Call 988 and press 0 to bypass the menu options.
  • Call 988 and press 1.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline logo
988 is here and ready to help with:
  • Depression.
  • Anxiety.
  • Feelings or thoughts of wanting to harm yourself or others.
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
  • Difficulty dealing with life’s stresses.
  • Thoughts of suicide.
988-911 venn diagram explaining how the services differ. 988 in one circle with text reading: mental health and substance use support; suicide prevention and crisis de-escalation; and connection to local care and treatment resources. 911 is in the other circle with text reading: medical emergency, fire, crime in progress, and life-threatening situations. The two circles overlap with text reading "whole-person care." the 988 logo is near the bottom with text "Suicide and Crisis Lifeline."

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) has been rebranded as 988.

Effective July 16, 2022, individuals who call 988 from anywhere in the United States are now directly connected to the same trained, compassionate crisis response counselors that were previously accessible through the long-standing 10-digit* National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK (8255).

Like 911, the new three- digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to be an easy-to-remember number that connects people experiencing mental health crisis, emotional distress, are considering self-harm or suicide, or seeking help for their loved ones, to help.

When a person calls 988, they are automatically connected to a crisis call center. Trained crisis counselors can help immediately by talking through the situation over the phone, or if needed, sending help in the form of mobile teams that can provide in-person support. Counselors can also help by connecting the caller directly to local resources, such mental health, addiction or social services for ongoing care, and follow-up.

older couple embrace near 988 logo: black man with white beard and women with graying hair; logo in bottom left says 988 and "suicide and crisis lifeline"

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline services can be used by anyone, any time (24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year), at no cost to the caller. For more information, visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website.

graphic image of text/speech bubbles imitating speech and words above reading "Talk with us."

Philadelphia County residents can find additional information on how to access mental health services and resources by going to the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services website or by visiting Community Behavioral Health.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Pa. Dept. of Human Services

 

  • The 988 Lifeline is available for everyone. Here are some ways to help you get through a crisis.

    • Make a safety plan

    • Build a support network

    • Read stories of hope and recovery

    • Learn more self-help resources here

988 promotional material
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (billboard) - ad says "you matter, talk to an ally" on purple background above a Speedy Lube offering free car wash with oil change
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (billboard) - ad says "you matter, talk to an ally" on purple background above a highway in near darkness.
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (billboard) - pink sign depicts Black woman on a phone. Text says "You Matter - We are your support." Above a highway with cars driving in daytime.
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (billboard) - ad depicts white man with beard looking at his phone. Text reads "You Matter - there is hope" - sign above a highway in dim sunlight
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (billboard) - pink sign depicts Black woman with polka-dot top on a phone, Text says "You Matter - We are your support." Sign is near a busy road.
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (billboard) - ad depicts white man with beard looking at his phone. Text reads "You Matter - there is hope" - sign above a highway in daylight with a rail car behind it.
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (billboard)
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia on a bus. Several people ride the bus, sign is above a regional rail and transit map and says "when you're in crisis, call or text 988" and shows a younger woman looking at her phone.
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (bus)
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia on a train. Yellow ad depicts older woman smiling and embracing older Black man from behind with 988 logo and reads "when you're in crisis, call or text 988."
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia on a train. Younger Black woman in red top talks on a phone with text "when you're in crisis, call or text 988" above a SEPTA etiquette and ride tips sign.
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia at a bus stop. Several people gather around the bus stop in daylight and warm weather where there is a sign with a white woman on the phone that reads "when you're in crisis, call or text 988."
Ad promotion 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as seen in Philadelphia (bus)
Last modified: Apr 8, 2026 @ 1:08 pm
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