You can now reach the Military and Veterans Crisis Lines by calling 988 and pressing 1

Accessing the Military and Veterans Crisis Lines got easier on July 16, when a new universal 988 suicide and crisis phone number became operational.

If you’re a service member or Veteran in suicidal crisis or mental health distress — or are a loved one of someone in need — dial 988 and then press 1. This connects you to responders who know military culture and are trained to intervene in a crisis. You can still also access these responders by chatting online via the chat button at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net or texting to 838255.

Authorized by the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, the new 988 number simplifies access to emergency mental health and substance use support and aims to reduce the rising number of Americans who die by suicide. Pew Trusts reports that these deaths overall increased 30% from 2000-2020, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates an average of 130 deaths by suicide per day among all Americans.

According to the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention annual report, in 2019, there were about 17.2 Veteran deaths by suicide per day, slightly fewer compared to the year before. However, deaths by suicide among active-duty military members rose in recent years. The Department of Defense Annual Suicide Report for calendar year 2020 showed an increase from 20.3 to 28.7 deaths per 100,000 service members over the 2015-2020 period.

“988 will save lives by connecting people in crisis to the services they need and deserve,” Pew Trusts said in a July 16 post on Instagram. Experts predict 988 will receive 24 million messages annually by 2027, the Pew post said.

New 988 number provides a quick connection

Calling 988 connects you to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (previously called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), overseen by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Pressing 1 gets you to the crisis line run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but you don’t need to be enrolled in VA to use the service.

If you’re a Veteran overseas, limit potential charges for international calls by using the free chat feature to speak to a responder online or to request via chat that a counselor to call you back. If you’re on active duty overseas, you have more numbers to dial to reach the Military Crisis Line. If you’re in Europe, call 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118; in Korea, call 0808 555 118 or DSN 118; and in Afghanistan, call 00 [login to see] or DSN 111.

SAMHSA points out on its website that studies show these lifeline services work. Callers report feeling “less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful,” agency officials said.

Crisis line process and services

Signs of a crisis that may warrant contacting the Veterans Crisis Line include if you’re talking about hopelessness, feeling anxious or agitated or engaging in risky behavior such as substance use or misuse. Here’s what happens when you call 988 and press 1:

• Hear a short recording or follow online/text prompts while being connected to a VA responder via chat, phone or text.

• Talk through your issues confidentially, sharing only what you’re comfortable with. Expect a few questions related to your or your loved one’s level of danger.

• Receive intervention services based on your need. You may resolve your issues during the call or work with a counselor on a plan to stay safe. If you’re in crisis, counselors may recommend you be visited by emergency responder or go to your local VA medical center for care. If you’re not in immediate danger, you can be connected to a local suicide prevention coordinator who will contact you the next business day.

SAMHSA notes that most contacts to its lifeline resolve their issues with responders.

Recovery resources

Find additional resources to boost your strength and promote your mental health resilience by visiting the following sites:

• Make the Connection (https://maketheconnection.net), where you can watch and share stories from Veterans and loved ones.

• Veteran Training (https://www.veterantraining.va.gov), a self-help portal with free, confidential courses on problem solving, anger management, parenting and other issues.

• Mobile apps (https://mobile.va.gov/appstore/mental-health), which provide no-cost smart phone tools for lessening symptoms and stress, practicing mindfulness, managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and supporting Veterans diagnosed with PTSD.

Learn more

Read frequently asked questions about the VA Veterans Crisis Line at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/about/what-is-988 and about the SAMHSA 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/faqs.

Note that dialing the older number — calling [login to see] and pressing 1 — still reaches the Veterans Crisis Line.