Frequently Asked Questions About
Maryland 988
What is 988?
It is the new easy-to-remember phone number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is available around the clock, 365 days a year. Counselors at local crisis call centers answer the calls and provide free, confidential advice and emotional support for people in distress. It is not only about answering calls but also about providing connection to community mental health and substance use services at critical moments for people across Maryland
When did 988 go live?
The new 988 number launched in July 2022. All phone companies will now route 988 calls to local call centers that are a part of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network.
How will 988 help our communities?
Many people experiencing a mental health or substance use emergency call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room for help, which can cause delays in care, frustration, and potentially more harm than help for the person in distress. This is even more pronounced for people of color and other marginalized groups. Police are not well-equipped to deal with a mental health or substance use emergency, and their involvement too often leads to trauma, jail, or the inappropriate use of force – including the death of the person in need.
988 can serve as an alternative to calling 911 or going to the hospital emergency room for people facing a mental health or substance use emergency. Call center counselors are based locally and trained in crisis response, suicide prevention, and de-escalation. They can provide a range of support to resolve a situation over the phone. 988 counselors can ensure that people in crisis receive responsive, appropriate, and compassionate services, and reduce our reliance on law enforcement and hospitals.
What is the MD988 Campaign?
The MD988 Campaign is working to expand and strengthen behavioral health crisis services in Maryland. The state has made progress in recent years, but improvements are still needed to ensure everyone experiencing urgent distress can get appropriate support. The 988 Trust Fund must make wise investments in the crisis continuum, and other funding and infrastructure is needed to fully build out the system. By pursuing strategic policy and programmatic changes, the Campaign hopes to see the crisis system continue to grow and build trust with communities across the state.