More than 23 million people have contacted the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline since its July 2022 launch, with demand continuing to grow as states face funding and workforce challenges, according to a KFF policy analysis publiushed July 14.
Here are five things to know:
- 988 has handled more than 23 million contacts. Since launching, the service has received 23.3 million contacts, including 15.8 million calls, 4.2 million texts and 3.4 million chats. Monthly volume has more than doubled from pre-launch levels.
- Demand continues to increase. National call, text and chat volume in March 2026 was 15% higher than a year earlier and nearly 50% higher than two years earlier.
- More calls are being answered locally. As of May 2026, 26 states answered at least 90% of 988 calls in-state, up from eight states before the service launched. Local counselors are generally more familiar with community resources than national backup centers.
- Some suicide-related measures have improved. Suicide deaths declined modestly in 2024 and remained relatively stable in provisional 2025 data. One study found suicide deaths among people ages 15 to 34 were about 11% lower than expected if 988 had not launched.
- Funding remains a concern. Only 12 states have enacted telecom fees to provide dedicated funding for 988 services. KFF said ongoing staffing shortages, uneven state funding and expected Medicaid and ACA Marketplace coverage losses could increase demand for crisis services while straining state budgets.
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