The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline says it responded to more than 6.4 million calls, texts, and chats from people experiencing mental health crises in 2024. While calling 988 can be lifesaving, a 2023 Pew Charitable Trusts survey found that 41 percent of U.S. adults worried that doing so would result in police being sent to their home.
For communities that face higher rates of police violence, that worry is heightened, which has inspired some mental health helplines to avoid police intervention.
Read on to learn what to expect when you call 988 and what other helplines can offer support.
What happens when you call 988?
When you call 988, you’ll hear a greeting and a list of options to connect you to a specialized team. If you don’t choose one of those options, you’ll be connected to a local 988 crisis call center based on your approximate location or your phone’s area code. Then, a crisis counselor will listen, offer support, and share relevant resources.
When and how often does 988 call the police?
“The 988 Lifeline coordinated response is intended to promote stabilization and care in the least restrictive manner,” says Vibrant Emotional Health, administrator of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to PGN. “Most crises are managed by counselors working with you to de-escalate the situation and without involving law enforcement.”
988 counselors don’t know who callers are or exactly where they’re located. However, if they believe that the caller’s life is at risk, they can ask a 911 dispatcher to use geolocation services to send first responders—either a mobile crisis team, paramedics, or police—to the caller’s location.
Vibrant Emotional Health says that “involuntary emergency rescue” happens in response to less than 1 percent of calls, although other research suggests that the percentage may be higher.
Which helplines don’t call the police?
CallBlackLine—a peer-support helpline—was created in response to concerns about police violence.
“In 2014, the litany of police killings of unarmed Black people caught on video catalyzed me and other [Black Lives Matter] members to brainstorm ways to reduce Black people’s contact with the police,” says Vanessa Green, co-founder of CallBlackLine. “We asked, what would a hotline for Black people look like? What would it look like for us to respond in our own community that we know and love?”
Instead of initiating involuntary emergency rescue—which could potentially involve police—CallBlackLine connects callers to local mental health professionals, shelters, and other resources.
CallBlackLine is not the only option. Other helplines avoid police intervention out of concern for communities at increased risk of police violence. While some of the following helplines may not be available 24/7 and may not be equipped to handle emergencies, they can provide early intervention for people impacted by stress, mental health conditions, abuse, substance use, and more:
CallBlackLine: According to CallBlackLine’s website, this volunteer-led, peer-support helpline is geared toward “Black, Black LGBTQI, Brown, Native and Muslim” communities, but no one will be turned away from its services.
You can reach CallBlackLine at 800-604-5841. Volunteers will answer when they are available.
Trans Lifeline: If you’re trans, nonbinary, or gender-questioning and need someone trans to talk to, call 877-565-8860 from Monday to Friday, between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET.
Trans Lifeline provides support in English and Spanish and does not contact law enforcement or crisis teams without the explicit, informed consent of callers. This helpline is unavailable on some holidays.
StrongHearts Native Helpline: Native Americans and Alaska Natives impacted by intimate partner violence and sexual violence can call or text 844-762-8483 for 24/7 crisis intervention and referals to local resources. The helpline cannot connect callers to 911, but operators may advise callers to dial 911 if they are in immediate danger.
Wildflower Alliance: If you want to talk with a trained peer who has firsthand experience with trauma, mental health diagnoses, or substance use disorder, call 888-407-4515 from Monday to Thursday, between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET, and Friday to Sunday, between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. Wildflower Alliance does not call law enforcement.
If you’re looking for additional mental health resources, PGN has compiled this list, including a guide to finding treatment.