SAMHSA awards $255M for 988 lifeline administration 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has committed $255 million to New York City-based Vibrant Emotional Health to administer the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Here are four things to know:

1. The 988 lifeline is a national network of more than 200 local crisis contact centers managed by a SAMHSA-funded network administrator, according to a May 15 HHS news release. Since launching in July 2022, the service has received more than 25 million contacts via call, text, chat and ASL videophone. 

2. SAMHSA also apportioned more than $28 million in funding opportunities for suicide prevention, mental health and substance use treatment programs. The funding includes support for youth suicide prevention and early intervention programs, services for youth and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis, provider education and support for substance use disorder treatment, and year-round disaster crisis counseling services. 

3. As of May 2024, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline received a monthly average of 654,000 calls, text and chats, up from 355,000 contacts when the service launched in July 2022. Alongside behavioral health needs, the growing demand increasingly reflects broader social and economic instability, according to providers operating within the system.

4. In July, the Trump Administration ended services for LGBTQ+ youths through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. SAMHSA said in a statement it aimed to “focus on helping all help seekers” and would no longer “silo LGB+ youth service.” The administration is now working to reinstate the specialized support option, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during an April Senate hearing. 

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