988 crisis line adds sign language services for the hearing‐impaired

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's addition of nationwide American Sign Language (ASL) services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing as part of ongoing efforts to expand accessibility to behavioral health care for underserved communities, an HHS Sept. 8 news release stated. Since its July 2022 launch, the 988 Lifeline has received more than 5.5 million calls, texts and chats following a nearly $1 billion investment by the Biden‐Harris administration, and is now available to millions of Americans who use ASL. To connect directly to a 988 Lifeline counselor trained in ASL, callers who are deaf, deaf and blind, deaf and disabled, hard of hearing or late‐deafened can click the “ASL Now” button on 988lifeline.org and follow the prompts. Direct dialing to 988 from a video‐phone will be available in the coming weeks, and in the meantime, ASL callers can call 1‐800‐273‐TALK (8255) from their videophone to reach ASL services. The 988 Lifeline is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers supported by HHS through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for anyone looking for help with suicide, mental health, and substance use‐related crises.