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Crisis Services: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - 24/7 Call, Text, Chat

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is here and ready to help.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support for anyone experiencing a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis.

People of all ages who need help for themselves or a loved one can call, text, or chat 24/7.

  Call

Call 988.

  Text

Send a text message to 988.

  Chat

Use the chat feature at 988lifeline.org.

About 988 in Wisconsin

  • Wisconsinites who use 988 will connect with the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline, an in-state service with trained counselors who answer calls, texts, and chats. If the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline is unable to respond quickly, contacts are automatically routed to a backup support center, which may be located in another state.
  • 988 Wisconsin Lifeline counselors are trained to reduce stress, provide emotional support, and connect people with local resources.
  • Use of the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline is available at no cost to Wisconsin residents. Additional care or intervention that may result from contact with the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline may come with a cost.
  • The 988 Wisconsin Lifeline is not able to send an in-person response directly. An in-person response requires a transfer to another service and could involve law enforcement.
  • Calls, texts, and chats with the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline are kept confidential between the person and counselor, unless there is imminent danger for the person or others.

About the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline

  • The 988 Wisconsin Lifeline is Wisconsin’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline service, answering calls, texts, and chats that come from residents throughout the state.
  • It is operated by Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, an agency based in Green Bay with trained counselors serving throughout the state.
  • The counselors at the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline are trained to listen and support people through their distress with a focus on de-escalation and coping skills.
  • The 988 Wisconsin Lifeline has some bilingual counselors and staff. Third party interpreters for over 240 languages and dialects are available 24/7 for calls to 988.
  • The 988 Wisconsin Lifeline answers and responds to calls, texts, and chats as quickly as possible to minimize wait times between initial contact and counseling.
  • The 988 Wisconsin Lifeline is supported and funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

What happens when you contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline?

A person

Person seeking support

A phone ringing, a phone with a text message, chat bubbles

Person calls or texts 988 or chats via 988lifeline.org.

Talk Bubbles

Person receives automated response with options for veterans, LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, and Spanish speakers.

Counselor

Person is connected to a counselor.

  • For 98% of calls, texts, and chats, person receives support, de-escalation assistance from a crisis, learns new coping skills, acquires local referrals, and may receive a follow-up call.
  • If there is a high concern of imminent risk to self or others, the person receives a required wellness check from law enforcement.
  • If there is imminent risk of serious harm to self or others, the person receives a required emergency law enforcement and medical response.

NOTE: If you or someone you know is in imminent danger, call 911, not 988.

Frequently asked questions

There are many questions about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and how it works. Below are answers to the most common questions. For answers to more questions, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 988 Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline greeting states that calls may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance purposes. Additionally, support centers in the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network may independently use call recordings for training purposes, dependent on the best practices of the support center. It’s also important to note that people contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are not required to provide any personal data to receive services.

People contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are not required to provide any personal data to receive services.

Any effort to obtain demographic information from those who use the service serves three primary purposes:

  • To save lives.
  • To connect people to ongoing supports.
  • To evaluate system needs and performance, particularly ensuring that gaps and inequities are being addressed.

The primary goal of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is to provide support for people in suicidal crisis, mental health-related distress, and/or substance use-related distress in the moments they most need it and in a manner which is person-centered. The vast majority of those seeking help from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline do not require any additional interventions at that moment. Currently, fewer than 2% of contacts require connection to emergency services like 911. While some safety and health issues may warrant a response from law enforcement and/or emergency medical services (namely when a suicide attempt is in progress), the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline coordinated response is intended to promote stabilization and care in the least restrictive manner. FACT SHEET: Why might the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline utilize any sort of intervention that may involve police? (PDF)

All 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline support centers adhere to the same imminent risk policy, which means that staff work through active engagement to provide support and assistance for people at risk in the least restrictive setting possible. In fact, most contacts are resolved by staff by chat or phone in a manner that does not require additional immediate intervention.

Currently, calls and texts to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are routed to the nearest geographic 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call center based on the defined location of the first six digits (area code and prefix) of the caller's phone number, regardless of the actual location of the caller. This means that a wireless call could be directed to a 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call center that is not the nearest one to the person reaching out for support. For example, if a person experiencing a crisis in Wisconsin calls 988 using a cell phone number with a New York area code, that person is routed to the New York call center covering that area code rather than the call center aligned to their physical location in Wisconsin. For chat services, contacts are routed to the nearest 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline contact center based on a person’s IP address.

Promotional tools

Please use these materials to ensure there is a clear understanding about what the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is and how it works in Wisconsin.

Use the logo below to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Wisconsin. Send an email to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov if you have questions or concerns about this logo.

(Download the 988 Wisconsin logo)

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - 24/7 Call Text Chat

A variety of animated ads for websites are available in the following sizes: 160x600, 300x50, 300x250, 300x600, 320x50, and 728x90. Send an email to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov to get the files for these ads. 

A variety of billboard designs are available, including the designs shown below. Send an email to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov to get the files for these billboards. 

988 Billboard Version 1
988 Billboard Version 2
988 Billboard Version 3

:30 script

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is here and ready to help. Anyone can call or text 988 or chat via 988wisconsin.org to get connected to a trained lifeline counselor. Counselors are here to support anyone experiencing a suicidal, mental health, or substance use crisis. You can also contact 988 if you're concerned about someone. 988 is confidential and free to all Wisconsin residents. 988, 24/7 call, text, chat. Here to support you. Brought to you by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

:30 produced ad (English only)

Listen to this ad or download it now

Instructions

  • Download the image to your device.
  • Upload the image to your social media page or feed.
  • Use the text above the image to complete the post.

Need someone to talk to? Call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Learn more about this service at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download the help is hope image)

Collage of people - Help is hope - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 Call, Text, Chat

The people who answer the calls, texts, and chats to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline understand what you're going through. They are ready to help you 24/7. Learn more about this service at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline 
(Download hope starts here indoors image)

Adult - Hope starts here - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 Call, Text, Chat

You can trust that the people who answer the calls, texts, and chats to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will offer support no matter the challenge you're experiencing. Go to 988Wisconsin.org for more information on this service. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download hope starts here red and blue image)

Adult - Hope starts here - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 Call, Text, Chat

You are not alone. Someone at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is always standing by to take your call, text, and chat. Go to 988Wisconsin.org to learn more about this service. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download ready to help image)

Counselor - Ready to Help - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you or someone you know needs support now, call, text, or chat. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help. Go to 988Wisconsin.org to learn more about this service. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline 
(Download 24/7 call, text, chat counselor image)
 

Operator taking a call

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of #suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 connection to confidential #support. There is hope. Just call, text, or chat. Learn more about this service at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download 988 logo 24/7 call, text, chat image)

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - 24/7 call, text, chat on a blue background

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides connection to confidential #support for mental health and substance use issues. There is hope. Just call, text, or chat. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download 988 Wisconsin image)

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - 24/7 call, text, chat on a white background

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a safe space to talk. Call, text, or chat 24/7. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download it can get better workshop image)

988 Social Ad LGBTQ 3

For those experiencing mental health or substance use issues, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is here to help. Call, text, or chat 24/7. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download it can get better indoors image)

Adult - It can get better - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Help for today, hope for tomorrow. That's what the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers. Call, text, or chat 24/7 to be connected with someone who understands what you're going through. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download it can get better sitting chair image)

Adult - It can get better - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

You can trust that the people who answer the calls, texts, and chats to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will offer support no matter what challenge you're experiencing. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download healing starts now image)

Adult - Healing starts now - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline when you need someone to talk to about any challenge or concern. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download help is hope teen image)

Youth - Help is hope - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

No matter what you’re experiencing, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, call, text, or chat. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is here and ready to help all Wisconsin residents live their best lives. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download you are not alone outdoors image)

Adult - You are not alone - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

People call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline about lots of things: substance use, economic worries, relationships, depression, physical illness, loneliness, and much more. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download you are not alone woodworker image)

Adult - You are not alone - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

You are not alone. Call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for mental health and substance use issues. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download help is hope bedroom image)

988 Social Ad Teen 1

When you need someone to talk to, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download help is hope brick background image)

Youth - Help is hope - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has your back. It is a trusted and safe space to talk about whatever you're experiencing. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download the hope starts here image)

Army veteran - Hope starts here - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

You are not alone. Call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You'll get help for today and hope for tomorrow. Learn more at 988Wisconsin.org. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline #988WisconsinLifeline
(Download the we have your back image)

Army veteran - We have your back - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

A variety of static ads for website are available in the following sizes: 160x600, 300x50, 300x250, 300x600, 320x50, and 728x90 are available. Send an email to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov to get the files for these ads.  

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 24/7 Call, Text, Chat

A variety of ads are available to be placed on the sides of city buses. Send an email to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov to get the files for these ads. 

Super queen bus ad
Super tail bus ad

:30 version

Download this video ad (with English captions)

Send an email to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov if you need a broadcast ready version of these ads or versions that can be played before films at a movie theater.

If the Wisconsin promotional tools do not meet your needs, check out the national promotional tools available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Difference between 211, 988, and 911

There are many three-digit calling codes for help in Wisconsin. The "In Wisconsin, Help is 3 Numbers Away" infographic can help you understand the difference between 211, 988, and 911. It is available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Coalition

We convened a coalition in 2021 to help plan for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Wisconsin. This coalition continues to meet periodically. Members include representatives from county and municipal agencies focused on behavioral health, law enforcement, and emergency services; providers of behavioral health services; and people who have experienced behavioral health crisis situations.

Work for the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline

Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin is hiring staff for the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline. See the list of positions currently available

Data

Visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline data dashboard to view 988 Wisconsin Lifeline contact volume, demographics, and more.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration publishes monthly performance reports for the national network of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline support centers. View the data.

REPORT: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - The First Year and Beyond (PDF) 

Join our email list

Sign up to receive updates on the implementation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Wisconsin.

Last revised March 17, 2024