988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988
Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
If your device cannot place calls or send texts, dial 988 from any phone or chat at 988lifeline.org.
If someone is in immediate life-threatening danger, call 911.
Veterans Crisis Line: Specialized Suicide Prevention Support
Veterans, service members, and people concerned about them can connect with qualified crisis responders through the Veterans Crisis Line.
Call 988, Press 1
Text 838255
You do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. It is run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Red Star Foundation does not operate or staff it.
Suicide Prevention Help for First Responders
Firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, dispatchers, and other first responders carry stresses most people never see: repeated exposure to trauma, long and irregular shifts, and a culture that can make asking for help feel hard. 988 is available to first responders just as it is to everyone else. It is a general crisis line, not a first-responder-specific service. These peer-led lines focus on public safety personnel:
Safe Call Now
Confidential 24-hour crisis referral for public safety and emergency services personnel and their families.
CopLine
Confidential 24-hour line for law enforcement officers and their families, answered by retired officers.
Fire/EMS Helpline
Confidential helpline for firefighters, EMS providers, and their families.
What Happens When You Call 988?
You call 988 or send a text to 988.
You are connected through the 988 crisis support network, usually to a crisis center near you.
A trained crisis counselor listens and asks about what you are going through.
The counselor may talk with you about immediate safety, ways to cope right now, and resources that fit your situation.
Depending on your circumstances, follow-up support or local services may be discussed.
The process can vary by situation and crisis center. Most contacts are resolved by talking. In rare cases where a life is in immediate danger, emergency services may be involved. Read the 988 Lifeline privacy policy to learn how your information is handled.
Can I Call a Suicide Hotline for a Loved One?
Yes. Many people contact 988 because they are worried about someone else. When you call or text:
- Explain what is worrying you.
- Describe any warning signs you have noticed.
- Ask the counselor how you can support the person.
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Encourage them to connect with professional resources.
- If there is immediate, life-threatening danger, call 911.
Not sure what to look for? Review the warning signs of suicide.
When Should Someone Contact a Suicide Hotline?
You do not have to be at the point of attempting suicide to reach out. Reasons to contact a crisis line include:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Severe emotional distress
- Feeling hopeless or overwhelmed
- Concern about a loved one
- Feeling isolated or unable to cope
- Struggling after a traumatic experience
- Grief or distress after losing someone to suicide
Reaching out early is always appropriate. There is no wrong reason to ask for support.
Red Star Foundation: Helping Prevent Suicide Before a Crisis
Red Star Foundation is a national nonprofit organization working to prevent suicide among military personnel, veterans, and first responders while supporting the families and loved ones affected by suicide loss. Our work centers on community connection, suicide prevention awareness, peer-to-peer relationships, storytelling and lived experience, recognition for surviving families, and reducing stigma around suicide and mental health.
Red Star Voices
Real stories of loss, struggle, and hope that encourage conversation and connection.
Red Star Pledge
A voluntary personal commitment to seek help and connection. It is not clinical treatment.
Peer-to-Peer Network
A community support initiative still being developed, connecting people with others who understand.
Red Star Families
Recognition and connection for families grieving a suicide loss.
These programs do not replace a crisis hotline, licensed therapy, emergency response, or medical care. See all Red Star programs.
Suicide Hotline Frequently Asked Questions
What is the suicide hotline number in the United States?
The U.S. suicide hotline number is 988. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline free?
Yes. Contacting 988 is free. Standard message and data rates from your carrier may apply to texts.
Can I text a suicide hotline instead of calling?
Yes. Text 988 to reach the Lifeline. Veterans and service members can text 838255 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Is the suicide hotline available 24 hours a day?
Yes. 988 and the Veterans Crisis Line are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
What is the suicide hotline for veterans?
The Veterans Crisis Line. Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or start a confidential chat.
Can military families call the Veterans Crisis Line?
Yes. Family members, friends, and anyone worried about a veteran or service member can contact the Veterans Crisis Line.
What happens if I call 988?
A trained crisis counselor answers, listens, and helps you work through what is happening right now, including safety and next steps. See what to expect.
Is calling a suicide hotline confidential?
988 describes its service as confidential. In rare situations where someone’s life is in immediate danger, emergency services may be contacted. Read the 988 Lifeline privacy policy for details.
Can I call 988 if I am worried about someone else?
Yes. You can contact 988 to get guidance on how to help a loved one.
Do you need to be suicidal to contact 988?
No. You can contact 988 for any kind of emotional distress, including feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or alone.
What should I do if someone is in immediate danger?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Stay with the person if it is safe to do so.
Does Red Star Foundation operate a suicide hotline?
No. Red Star Foundation does not operate a suicide hotline or provide emergency crisis intervention. We direct individuals to established crisis services, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line.
Additional Suicide Prevention Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
24/7 crisis support by call, text, or chat in the United States.
Veterans Crisis Line
24/7 crisis support for veterans, service members, and their loved ones.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA health care, mental health services, and benefits. Not a crisis line.
National Institute of Mental Health
Research-based information on mental health and suicide prevention. Not a crisis line.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public health information on suicide and prevention. Not a crisis line.
All services listed on this page are for the United States.
Honoring the Forgotten Families
Learn About Our Work
Red Star Foundation works to prevent suicide among those who serve and to honor and connect the families left behind.
Related: veteran suicide statistics and support, how families can help prevent veteran suicide, and the Red Star Families program for suicide loss survivors.
Need ongoing mental health support after a crisis call? Search the national suicide prevention and support resource directory.