Felton Institute’s San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP), the oldest community-based telephone crisis hotline in the United States, has been partnered with Lifeline for the last 10-15 years and will continue to answer local calls and chats that come in from 988.

Additional Information:

• 988 is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• 988 Interpretative services are available in over 250 languages.
• 988 does not replace the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number: 1 (800) 273 8255. Both hotlines will connect the caller to their local crisis center, including SFSP.

Ways to Connect to 988:

• Call: When a person calls 988, a trained crisis counselor will listen and assess for suicide and safety concerns, provide support, share resources, and link the caller to behavioral health services or 911 if there is immediate danger to self or others. If someone is worried about a loved one who may be experiencing a mental health crisis, they can also call 988.

• Chat: Chat (English only) is available through the Lifeline’s website at 988lifeline.org/chat. People seeking chat services are provided a pre-chat survey before connecting with a counselor, who identifies the main area of concern. If there is a wait to chat with a crisis counselor, a wait-time message will appear. Once you are connected, a crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful.

• Text: When someone texts 988, they are responded to by a group of Lifeline crisis centers that answer both chats and texts. Once you are connected, a crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful. Currently, texting is available in English only.

For more information about 988:

• Visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website
• Download the 988 Fact Sheet