THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDOLOGY CELEBRATES THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

July 17, 2023 | Washington, DC – This month marks the one-year anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which launched in July 2022. The American Association of Suicidology (AAS), the world’s largest and nation’s oldest membership-based suicide prevention organization, celebrates the impact that 988 has made and plans to continue supporting improvement efforts to reach more people across the United States of America.

“The American Association of Suicidology is grateful for the incredible effort from SAMHSA, elected government officials, and the crisis professionals across the United States that dedicate their lives to helping others in need,” said AAS President & Chief Executive Officer Leeann Sherman, MPS, CAE. “The 998 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has saved countless lives over the past year. As a community, we must continue supporting these efforts by reaching more people and increasing funding to provide more resources for all our partners.”

The 988 dialing code operates through what was formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is a network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers around the country.

Congress designated 988 in 2020 and the Lifeline transitioned to the 3-digit number in July 2022. As a part of the federal government’s commitment to addressing the mental health crisis in America, unprecedented federal resources have been invested to scale up crisis centers in support of 988. Transition to 988 is an important step forward and offers an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and transform crisis care in our country.

About American Association of Suicidology

The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest and nation’s oldest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have an interest in suicide prevention. Learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.

Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides and open the door for help for those in need. Visit the Media as Partners in Suicide Prevention: Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more details. For additional information, visit SuicideReportingToolkit.com and Stanford University’s Media and Mental Health Initiative. For crisis services anywhere in the world, please visit FindAHelpline.org and in the continental United States chat, text or call 988.

MEDIA CONTACT

Chris Cosentino, Chief Marketing Officer, American Association of Suicidology, ccosentino@suicidology.org