Organization

• Commissioner’s Office
  • Systems Integration
  • Trauma, Equity, and Community
  • Chief Medical Officer
  • DBHIDS Communications
• Community Behavioral Health
• Division of Planning Innovation
  • Community-Based Services Development Unit
  • Community Wellness Engagement Unit
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit
    • Network of Neighbors
  • Engaging Males of Color
  • Faith and Spiritual Affairs
  • Peer Culture and Community Inclusion Unit
    • Peer Support Toolkit
    • Peer Culture Transformation Advisory Board
    • Peer Culture Report
    • Certified Peer Specialist Training
    • UR Storytelling Training
    • Wellness Recovery Action Plan
    • CPS Employment Technical Assistance Program
  • Policy Unit
  • Research Unit
    • Data Reports and Research Findings
    • Requests Related to Research Activities
    • City of Philadelphia DLA Requirements
  • Trauma Initiatives & Resources
    • Common Signs and Symptoms
    • Trauma Facts and Figures
    • Community Partnerships
    • Trauma Resources
    • Need Help Now
    • Human Trafficking Awareness
• Behavioral Health Division
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  • Single County Authority
    • Behavioral Health Special Initiative
    • Provider Development and Transformation Initiatives
    • Recovery House Initiative
    • The Journey of Hope Project
    • Forensic Intensive Recovery / Justice Addiction Treatment Initiatives
    • Prevention Services
      • Philadelphia Prevention Partnership
      • OAS Recovery Support Services
      • Problem Gambling Initiative
      • Student Assistance Program
    • Drug-Free Coalitions
  • Management Services Department
    • The Process
    • About NIAC
    • Network Inclusion Criteria
    • NIAC Forms
  • Contracts & Budgeting
  • Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Services
  • Coordinated Consumer Services
    • Admissions, Discharges and Planning Team
    • Targeted Case Managment
  • Housing and Homeless Services
  • Heat Safety
  • Southeast Regional Planning and Implementation
  • Crisis Intervention Team Training
• Division of Intellectual disAbility Services
  • IDS Children’s Services
  • IDS Adult Services
  • Current Initiatives
  • Resources
• Division of Administration, Finance, and Quality
  • Management Services Department
    • Human Resources
  • Office of the Chief Digital Officer
• Behavioral Health and Justice Division
  • Criminal Justice Unit
  • Clinical Unit
  • Planning, Policy, and Development Unit

Hamburger Toggle Menu

Home » suicide prevention

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Need Help NOW?

If you or a loved one are experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress
CALL 988 or (215) 685-6440

Lifeline Options for Deaf + Hard of Hearing: For TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

---

Learn more at HealthyMindsPhilly.com/988-Philly

Philadelphia County residents now have a new, easier way to connect to behavioral or mental health crisis services.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to compassionate, trained professionals. Callers experiencing suicidal feelings, substance use, and/or mental health crisis or any other kind of emotional distress will receive counseling, guidance, and direction for receiving prompt evaluation and treatment services.

988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

What is 988?

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) has been rebranded as 988.

Effective July 16, 2022, individuals who call 988 from anywhere in the United States are now directly connected to the same trained, compassionate crisis response counselors that were previously accessible through the long-standing 10-digit* National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK (8255).

Like 911, the new three- digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to be an easy-to-remember number that connects people experiencing mental health crisis, emotional distress, are considering self-harm or suicide, or seeking help for their loved ones, to help.

When a person calls 988, they are automatically connected to a crisis call center. Trained crisis counselors can help immediately by talking through the situation over the phone, or if needed, sending help in the form of mobile teams that can provide in-person support. Counselors can also help by connecting the caller directly to local resources, such mental health, addiction or social services for ongoing care, and follow-up.

Who Can Call 988?

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline services can be used by anyone, any time (24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year), at no cost to the caller. For more information, visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website.

 

 

Philadelphia County residents can find additional information on how to access mental health services and resources by going to the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services website or by visiting Community Behavioral Health.

 

988 Resources

• 988 Launch: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra comes to Philadelphia to launch the transition to 988, the new national mental health crisis number
  • Remarks by Secretary Becerra | Inquirer | WHYY | Al Dia | City and State Pa. | Tribune | CBS 3 | 6 ABC | Fox 29 | Deseret News | KKTV (CBS)- Colorado Springs, Colo.
• Additional 988 Resources and information:
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  • How calls are routed
  • Pa. Dept. of Human Services
• SAMHSA 988 Resources

Philadelphia Crisis Services

• 988Philly.org
• The Philadelphia Crisis Response Center (CRC) Network
  • The Philadelphia Crisis Response Center network comprises a series of psychiatric crisis centers. These centers accept walk-ins and are strategically located around the city. Click to view the Crisis Response Centers and Behavioral Assessment Centers. 

Help Yourself

• Get a checkup from the neck up with the free, anonymous self-screening tool at HealthyMindsPhilly.org

 

• The 988 Lifeline is available for everyone. Here are some ways to help you get through a crisis.

  • Make a safety plan

  • Build a support network

  • Read stories of hope and recovery

  • Learn more self-help resources here

 

Mobile Data

Crisis Line Call Data

Mobile Crisis Data

The post 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline appeared first on DBHIDS.

At the Walnut West branch of the Free Library, several stereotypes were addressed as a crowd of just over a dozen people gathered to discuss the importance of mental health issues in the LGBTQ community, including the increased risk of suicide.

The session promoted collaboration between those in attendance and the presenters. It also served as a training session for residents to learn how to recognize and prevent suicidal actions, as well as understand their roots.

“It’s important to know that LGBTQ+ people are not specifically or inherently more likely to have higher rates of depression or suicidal ideation,” said César Mantilla, assistant manager of community-based services in Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and disAbility Services (DBHIDS). “It’s the product of treatment from a hostile world that results in these statistics.”

The statistics are jarring, particularly among young members of the LGBTQ community. According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.

Click to read entire article: “Cedar Park: Library Hosts Discussion on Suicide Prevention in LGBTQ+ Community“

The post Cedar Park: Library Hosts Discussion on Suicide Prevention in the LGBTQ+ Community appeared first on DBHIDS.

DBHIDS’ Andrea October, Clinical Project Manager for Health Promotions, appeared on Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia” during Suicide Prevention Week to discuss the importance of self-care for those “doing the counseling” in the wake of the widely reported suicide of Penn’s director of counseling.

Click to view the report and interview.

The post Suicide Prevention Week on Good Day Philadelphia appeared first on DBHIDS.

This week, the world mourned the deaths of designer Kate Spade and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, two well-known, successful professionals who, by all accounts, were living happy lives full of fame and fortune.

If nothing else, these tragedies drive home the message that mental health does not discriminate and mental illness is a chronic disease No amount of money or popularity can make a person immune to depression or anxiety.

It is normal for people – children and adults – to experience periods of sadness or despair because of situations in their lives. Stress from personal relationships, career, or financial challenges, health issues and other matters can certainly cause individuals to feel as if there is no hope for things to turn around. But we are here to let everyone know that, when these moments occur, there is help available. Each day, we strive to encourage people to understand that there is nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to admitting the need for mental health support. In fact, seeking support can be straight forward and help increase one’s resilience along with overall wellness. The result of seeking treatment and support can be life-saving.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 and older died by suicide in 2016. Locally, 153 lives were lost to suicide in Philadelphia during that same year, an average of 3 deaths by suicide per week. While our local rate is lower than the national suicide mortality rate, the Philadelphia Suicide Prevention Task Force, a division of DBHIDS, believes one suicide is one too many. To that end, the task force is committed to the Zero Suicide Model – where we envision a world without suicide. We believe that is possible when people understand that they are not alone and that there are people available to offer resources and programming designed to offer the greatest likelihood of preventing suicide.

While mental health conditions are not the only reason to cause someone to contemplate suicide, we believe that any person who sees this as their only option should have an opportunity to talk through their challenges.  If you or someone you know needs help please call DBHIDS’ Suicide & Crisis Prevention Hotline – 215-686-4420, a resource that is available 24/7.  Our highly-trained staff will be ready to provide access to resources and immediate assistance that is designed to save the life of someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Other options for support include the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, which can be accessed by calling 800-273-TALK.

Additionally, our Mental Health First Aid Training offers people information on how to identify when someone they know or love may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Those who are trained learn what they can do to ensure that the individual in crisis receives the support they need to get and stay well. This training, which we have provided to more than 25,000 people throughout Philadelphia, goes a long way in supporting people at risk of suicide and offering coping and problem-solving skills to help people manage mental health challenges.

Together, we can ensure that our friends and family know there is help available. A few easy steps we can take include:

• Promote safe and supportive environments, including safely storing medications and firearms to reduce access among people at risk.
• Offer activities that bring people together so they feel connected and not alone.
• Connect people at risk to effective and coordinated mental and physical healthcare.
• Expand options for temporary help for those struggling to make ends meet.

While extremely sad, the deaths of Spade and Bourdain allow us to have what is an uncomfortable, but necessary conversation. Far too many people suffer in silence and consider a permanent act as the best way to address what may often be a temporary situation. May we all be willing to speak out when we find ourselves in need and may we all be willing to take the time to listen when someone cries out for help.

The post No one is immune to the threat of suicide appeared first on DBHIDS.

The post Inform, Encourage, Provide: Steps We Can Take to Help Our Youth appeared first on DBHIDS.