NEWS RELEASE
NEW YORK STATE RECOGNIZES ‘988 DAY’
More New Yorkers Utilizing State’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Following Robust Statewide Investments
State Landmarks and Bridges to be Illuminated in Green and Teal at Dusk Today
The New York State Office of Mental Health recognized ‘988 Day’ today, highlighting the growth of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which has become the nation-leading service for individuals who are or know someone experiencing a behavioral health issue. New York’s 988 contact centers now have the highest in-state call volume nationally and are providing free, confidential, service around the clock via phone, text, or chat.
“988 is available for anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis or concern of any size 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “For some individuals who are feeling hopeless enough to think about suicide, 988 contact centers are especially skilled in offering hope and help in that moment. New Yorkers have contacted 988 more than 1.6 million times by call, chat, and text since 2022.”
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched in July 2022 and provides New Yorkers with a connection to local trained crisis counselors who can help anyone thinking about suicide, struggling with substance use, or experiencing a mental health crisis or any other kind of emotional distress. Crisis counselors provide personalized support, can offer immediate help, and can connect callers with follow-up services, when needed.
Administered by OMH, 988 provides a coordinated connection to other components of the state’s crisis response system, including mobile crisis services, crisis residential programs, and crisis stabilization centers. Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, New York State has significantly expanded the capacity of 988 Crisis Contact Centers, increasing funding from $35 million in FY 2023 to $60 million annually today.
The effectiveness of 988 was the subject of a study published last spring, which found that the rate of suicides among young people in the United States dropped 11 percent below projections, decreasing most sharply in states with a higher volume of answered 988 calls. OMH conducted a separate internal analysis of emergency department claims for intentional self-harm reported by hospitals between 2021 and 2024, which similarly indicated that rates for New Yorkers between the ages 15 and 34 were about 12 percent lower after 988 was launched in July 2022.
Calls to 988 also now use georouting, so that individuals reaching out on a wireless device are connected to an in-state contact center closest to their proximity without divulging their precise location. This enhances the relevance and quality of care available to each caller by ensuring that the crisis counselor answering the call is well-versed in the specific community’s’ services and resources available in that area.
In 2025 alone, there were roughly 664,000 contacts routed to the state’s 14 contact centers – 508,000 calls, 72,000 chats, and 83,000 texts. 988 is supported statewide. Additionally, there were more than 59,000 calls originating from New York State that routed directly to the specialized Veterans Crisis Line.
The top reasons New Yorkers cite for contacting 988 have evolved since 2022, highlighting that this critical service can help with a broad array of issues, not only suicide-related concerns. During FY 2025, about 20.2 percent of help seekers cited family and relationship issues, 17.4 percent for thoughts of suicide, 16.8 percent for anxiety, 10.5 percent for depression, and 10.3 percent for loneliness.
The theme of this year’s 988 Day is ‘your reason is reason enough’ – a reminder that individuals don’t need to be in crisis to reach out for help. In support of this message, Governor Hochul directed 12 bridges and landmarks across New York to be illuminated in purple and teal at dusk tonight, including:
- Albany International Airport Gateway
- Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
- Empire State Plaza
- 'Franklin D. Roosevelt' Mid-Hudson Bridge
- Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
- Kosciuszko Bridge
- Moynihan Train Hall
- MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
- Niagara Falls
- Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
- State Education Building
- State Fairgrounds – Main Gate and Expo Center
NAMI New York State Government & Community Affairs Manager James Norton said, "The 988 Lifeline has been one of the most impactful mental health and suicide prevention innovations in recent years – connecting millions of people in crisis to immediate, lifesaving care. Callers or their loved ones can receive help with safety planning, be connected with additional resources, or just talk about what they're going through. As an organization founded by individuals and families advocating for services, we place the value of this crisis resource and service navigation at the heart of our advocacy. While we continue to advocate for more mental health resources, 988 Day and the 988 Number remain a core lifeline for people feeling overwhelmed and alone – connection is available."
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