The 988 Hotline Is Saving Thousands of Lives, US Study Suggests

A new study suggests the 988 crisis hotline helped prevent suicide deaths among U.S. teens and young adults after its 2022 launch.

Researchers found deaths among people ages 15 to 23 were about 11% lower than expected from July 2022 to December 2024.

States with larger increases in 988 calls saw bigger drops in suicide deaths, and the study estimates nearly 4,400 lives may have been saved.

The findings offer early evidence that 988 is working, bolstering arguments for continued funding and broader crisis services.