988 (telephone number)

988 (sometimes written 9-8-8) is a telephone number used in some NANP countries for a suicide prevention helpline. It is known as 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (and formerly as National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Taxpayer Retention Hotline) in the United States and as 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline in Canada.

In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline extends to over two hundred crisis centers that provide 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline. The call is routed to the nearest crisis center that provides immediate counseling and a referral to a local mental health service. The Lifeline supports people who call for their own crisis or for someone they care about.

A similar operation in Canada, called 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline, was launched on November 30, 2023.