Since its launch nearly three years ago, the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has become a vital support system for millions in mental health crises. Despite its success, escalating issues of understaffing and insufficient funding threaten to disrupt its mission of saving lives.

Understanding the Lifeline’s Operation

The 988 hotline functions similarly to 911, offering essential access to care for individuals facing mental health emergencies. Alejandra, a counselor at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Los Angeles — the largest suicide prevention center in the country — reports handling up to 20,000 calls and texts each month.

Alejandra decided to become a counselor after facing their own challenges with suicidal thoughts during adolescence, a period marked by a cancer diagnosis that led them into profound despair. “I know what it’s like to go through this, or not feel comfortable reaching out,” they shared with CBS News.

Highlighting the courage needed to reach out for help, Alejandra noted, “When someone calls prevention, they’re already breaking through a lot of barriers and stigma. So, there is vulnerability and courage in those first few moments. I breathe deeply because those are the moments where you show someone, ‘I’m glad you called.’”

Rising Demand for Assistance

Following the official launch of the 988 hotline in 2022, the number of calls surged by 40%. In total, over 12 million individuals have sought help through 988 since its inception, highlighting a significant demand for mental health support. As Didi Hirsch CEO Lyn Morris emphasized, these calls often involve dire situations in which lives are at stake.

“We have dealt with people calling our line who have either taken measures to end their life or are sitting at home with a gun in their lap,” Morris stated.

Concerns About Future Funding and Resources

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that, although call volume has increased, access to adequate care following initial outreach has not kept pace. The authors of the study are advocating for heightened awareness and enhanced funding to ensure the 988 hotline can effectively support those in need.

“Our goal is to provide a full crisis continuum of care,” Morris explained. “We need more resources, more therapists, and better technology to manage these calls effectively.”

With one in four U.S. adults living with a diagnosable mental illness, according to the National Institutes of Health, the number of individuals grappling with mental health issues is expected to rise amid challenges in the public health system.

Impact of Federal Cuts

Adding to the concerns, recent federal budget cuts threaten public health services across the nation. More than 10% of staff at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which oversees the 988 hotline, have been laid off due to budgetary reductions instituted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. This includes approximately 25% of the agency’s communication team, which is critical in promoting the hotline.

Morris warned that further cuts could culminate in “a very dire situation,” citing potential increases in hospitalizations and mortality rates due to lack of mental health resources.

Getting Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Additional support is available through the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, or via email at in**@**mi.org.