To use "988" as the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to a Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Network.

By calling or texting 988, you'll connect with mental health professionals with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Network. Modelled after 999, the three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional. America is already providing this service why is the UK not when we are in a mental health crisis?

The primary goal of the new number is to make it easier for people to call help. 

There are urgent mental health realities driving the need for crisis service transformation across our country. In 2020 alone, the UK had 5,224 deaths by suicide that equating to an average of 15 deaths per day.

One of the goals of 988 is to ensure that people get the help that they need when they need it, where they need it. And so, when a person calls or texts 988 they can expect to have a conversation with a trained, compassionate crisis counsellor who will talk to them about what they're experiencing. If it's the case that they need further intervention, then the crisis counsellor will be able to connect with a local mobile crisis team to further assist the person.

Some of the goal, where possible, minimise unnecessary contact or connection with police services when what a person needs are connecting with a mobile crisis worker or anyone within the mental health sector and also will put less pressure on the 999-emergency number and the A&E departments.

Currently the UK has a variety of Suicide and Crisis hotline numbers for calling or texting: Samaritans - 116 123; SANEline - 03300 304 7000; National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK - 0800 689 5652; CALM - 0800 58 58 58; Shout - 85258; The Mix - 0808 808 4994; Papyrus - 0800 068 4141 and many more. However, knowing from experience when in crisis these numbers are not easy to remember or to recall, but if we were to bring all these helpline under one national network (Lifeline Network) that works together rather then separately , we could help thousands of people overcome crisis situations everyday.

The 988 Lifeline could provide 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental-health related distress if the services above worked together. By calling or texting 988, it can connect people to mental health professional with the Lifeline Network.