03/12/2026
"The 988 Lifeline connects people with counselors
who are trained to provide emotional support, crisis
de-escalation, and local resources, without relying on
law enforcement or emergency medical intervention
unless necessary.
Effective for emergencies involving physical harm, it is, crimes in progress, or other situations requiring immediate physical intervention. Although 911 is highly
Effective for emergencies involving physical harm, it is not specialized to manage behavioral health crises."
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/fact-sheet-key-differences-988-vs-911.pdf