988 Lifeline Expands To Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last month the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s addition of American Sign Language (ASL) services for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing.
This new addition of ASL services provides equal access to mental health support for the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
What is the 988 Lifeline?
The 988 Lifeline is provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a support line for anyone needing help with mental health, suicide, substance abuse, and/or substance-use crises.
According to the press release, it was launched in July 2022 and has received more than 5.5 million calls, texts, and chats. As of this month, it’s now also available to individuals across the country who are Deaf and hard of hearing.
“Individuals across America who use ASL as their primary language can now readily access the support they need during a mental health crisis,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "With the introduction of 988 ASL services, we are taking a significant stride forward in providing inclusive and accessible support for the Deaf and hard of hearing community. This is a testament to our ongoing commitment to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to mental health support."
How Does the 988 Lifeline Work for Individuals Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing?
There are dedicated services available now through the 988 Lifeline for ASL users. The services are staffed by trained professionals who are fluent in ASL and who are knowledgeable about the needs of the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
To connect to a trained counselor through the 988 Lifeline in ASL, individuals can select For Deaf & Hard of Hearing in the upper right corner of the page on 988lifeline.org. Then scroll down the page, select ASL Now, and follow the prompts to be connected via video chat to a trained ASL counselor.
Individuals can also chat online at the website or text 988 to send a message and begin a conversation. Additionally, users can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) from their videophone to reach ASL services.
These new changes and developments make it possible for millions of individuals in the Deaf community to receive critical support if needed. The exact ASL services available will continue to expand over the next several weeks. To learn more, go to 988lifeline.org.
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