9-8-8 Crisis Help

9-8-8 

Dial 9-8-8 from anywhere in Connecticut to reach a highly-trained crisis counselor who will assess your needs and provide immediate crisis support. This three-digit number, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, is a 24/7 call, text, and chat line which will connect you to trained crisis counselors should you or someone you know be experiencing suicidal, mental health, substance use or other, emotional crisis. 9-8-8 has been built off of the existing lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Both numbers will be able to connect you to the exact same services and will remain in effect.

How does 9-8-8 work?

     When you dial 9-8-8, you’re connected to an automated system that invites you to press 1 for Veteran Crisis Line, press 2 for crisis services in Spanish, or stay on the line to be connected to a local crisis center (in English). If no number is pressed, calls are routed to a local crisis center based on the caller's area code. If no local crisis center is available, the call goes to a backup center that could be located anywhere in the United States.