Between the July 2022 launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and December 2024, 35,529 suicides were observed compared to 39,901 expected, representing an 11% reduction, or 4,372 fewer deaths, according to an April 22 research letter published in JAMA.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston analyzed National Vital Statistics System data from January 1999 through June 2022 to model expected mortality trends among individuals ages 15 to 34.
Here are four things to know from the study:
- The 10 states with the greatest increases in answered calls reported a 146.2% rise in monthly calls (from 32,635 to 80,338) and an 18.2% reduction in suicide mortality.
- The 10 states with the smallest increases saw a 23.6% rise in monthly calls (from 39,835 to 49,226) and a 10.6% reduction in suicide mortality.
- Several sensitivity analyses were conducted, including among adults age 65 and older, who saw a 4.5% decline in suicide mortality, and analyses of deaths from malignant neoplasms, which showed no reduction.
- Removing the COVID-19 period from the baseline model did not change the findings, with suicide deaths among individuals ages 15 to 34 still coming in below expected levels.
Note: The study is observational and cannot account for concurrent changes in mental healthcare access, public awareness or socioeconomic conditions. State-level differences in 988 uptake may also be influenced by broader investments in crisis services, limiting causal interpretation.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
