Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW

Director, DMH/DD/SUS

Celebrating Three Years of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

It’s Okay To Need Support. With 988, You’re Not Alone.

Dear Community Partners,

Welcome to our anniversary week celebrating the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. We have much to celebrate for the third year of this vital and impactful tool. The 988 Lifeline provides help and support for anyone suffering from depression, anxiety or interpersonal/family issues -- or who just needs someone to talk to during a time of personal crisis. 


Increasing the number of calls to the 988 line is a high priority in our five-year strategic plan because the service is so impactful. We have launched a public education campaign to spread the word across the state, and we have implemented a 988 Performance Dashboard to track our progress. Our efforts are paying off; North Carolina leads the nation in implementation -- we focus on answering every call and ensuring every person gets the care they need. The number of calls, texts and chats has increased to 11,463 per month as of May 2025.   


The need is great, especially among our young people. In North Carolina, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 14, and a leading cause of death among those aged 15-24. The 13-17 age group averages the most contacts to 988. 


The 988 Lifeline is a vital resource for North Carolinians. Recent surveys of users found: 

  • More than 50% learn coping, de-escalation or calming strategies. 
  • More than 33% say contacting 988 saved their life or someone else’s life. 
  • Nearly 90% say 988 is important to their community.
  • More than 80% would recommend 988 to others
  • Before contacting 988, stress, worry, fear and vulnerability are top emotions. After contacting 988, respondents report feeling hopeful, motivated and grateful, with decreased negative emotions.  

988 provides support in English and Spanish. It also provides dedicated resources for Veterans who call the line. In North Carolina, our 988 call center also has training on supporting the needs of youth who are LGBTQ+ and we want to emphasize that in light of recent federal funding cuts. Everyone matters and 988 is here and ready in NC!


For three years, we have remained committed to the same goal: responding to anyone and everyone who needs mental health services. No matter your situation, you have options. 988 is here to help!


This week, we celebrate three years of progress. We also affirm our commitment to continue strengthening our system of crisis services so that there will always be someone to contact, someone to respond and a safe place for help for anyone who needs someone to talk to.


My best,


Kelly


Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW

(she/her)

Director

Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

The 988 Lifeline is for Everyone

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, private support in English and in Spanish. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, needs to talk or is thinking about hurting themselves can get help. The Lifeline is available to everyone—you can call for yourself or a loved one who may need crisis support.


Connect with a counselor who will listen, offer support and provide resources nearby:



Learn about what to expect when you call 988 and get answers to frequently asked questions.

In Their Own Words: The Value of 988

From Faith, from Boone, NC, whose story was featured in 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Faith's Story (30): 

 

“I texted 988 because at the moment when I needed help, I realized I didn’t have access to English. Sometimes speaking gets hard for me. They just helped me calm down, and then I was able to find a friend. It’s free and you can get in touch with people who are trained to help through all sorts of crises.” 

 

From Dr. Sarah Banks, Ph.D, RN, Public Health Services Director of Haywood County: 

 

“As the Health Director of Haywood County and a nurse here in North Carolina, I can tell you that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline saves lives.” 

 

From a family member who participated in the NC Qualitative Research Study, May 2025: 

 

“I tell people, ‘Listen, my son has called me at 3 o'clock in the morning. You can call me anytime. I don't care. I'll get up and get out of my house and go to yours, if you need me to. But if you don't want to talk to me, if you don't want to talk to anyone, I would tell them you could call 988, and you can feel safe with 988.”   

 

From a caller describing encouragement from a professional, from the NC Qualitative Research Study, May 2025 

 

“Please contact 988, I don’t want to lose you.”   


De Socorro Gutiérrez, promotora de salud comunitaria de Carolina del Norte:


“La Línea 988 de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis es gratuita, privada y siempre hay apoyo disponible en español.” 

By the Numbers: The Impact of 988 in North Carolina

Major accomplishments: 



  • 11,443 contacts per month 
  • 1 in 3 North Carolinians say 988 saved their life or the life of someone they love 
  • 988 is helping people with a wide range of needs. The most common reason people call is for family or interpersonal reasons. 

 

Additional facts worth celebrating: 



  • North Carolina is a national leader in 988 implementation  
  • People report feeling hopeful, grateful and motivated after calling 988  
  • Nearly 90% say 988 is important to their community 
  • More than 80% would recommend 988 to others 
  • More than 50% learn coping, de-escalation or calming strategies. 
  • In North Carolina, the 13-17 age group averages the most contacts to 988. These youth need support and are finding it through 988. 

988 Resources





Order Free 988 and NC Crisis Services Print Materials

For Your Back-to-School Outreach Today!

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing free, printed 988 and Crisis Services educational materials for schools, local governments and community organizations for Back-to-School outreach. Sign up today for these new bilingual posters, post cards, flyers, wallet cards and stickers designed for youth. Order materials by submitting a 988 order form and a Crisis Services order form by August 4 to receive them by mid-August to share with your community! 

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