If you or someone you know is currently experiencing thoughts of suicide, or a mental health or substance use crisis, please call 988 to reach Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and speak with a trained crisis specialist 24/7.
988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline
988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it offers a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health crisis, substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
988 is now live as the national three-digit dialing code for reaching The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The current long-form phone number of 800-273-TALK continues to be an option.
Indiana’s 988 Implementation
Indiana is using the arrival of 988 to invest in a broader crisis response system to help all Hoosiers. This will ultimately include more than just someone to contact at a 988 contact center, but also someone to respond and a safe place for help, if needed.
July 16, 2022, was the start of a transition, not the end, and there is still a lot of work to be done. The work to develop this complete system is well underway and will continue over the next several years.
Indiana's Crisis Response System:
- Someone to Contact: A simple, short number for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
- Someone to Respond: The establishment of mobile crisis teams who are trained and skilled in responding to anyone experiencing mental health-related distress, and are comprised of peers and behavioral health professionals skilled in providing specialized crisis care to people on site in their community.
- A Safe Place for Help: A greater ability to refer Hoosiers in crisis to a network of local crisis specialists, crisis receiving and stabilization services, who are familiar with the community and better equipped to provide culturally competent support and referrals to local resources and other lifesaving follow-up care.
988 Mobile Crisis Response - Designation
Providers interested in pursuing designation as a 988 mobile crisis unit and in receiving Indiana Health Coverage Program reimbursement for rendered services, must complete the designation application and checklist linked below. Any provider seeking designation as a 988 mobile crisis unit are required to follow specific set of guidelines set forth by DMHA.
As part of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline initiative implemented by House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1222 (2022), effective July 1, 2023, IHCP will be adding Medicaid coverage for crisis intervention services rendered by mobile crisis teams designated by DMHA.
Only mobile crisis units that are designated by the DMHA and follow Indiana Code IC 12-21-8-3 and 12-21-8-10 will receive IHCP reimbursement. No Medicaid reimbursement is available for services rendered prior to the mobile crisis unit receiving that DMHA designation. please
988 Mobile Crisis Designation Application
988 Mobile Crisis Designation Agreement and Checklist
Contact mobilecrisisdesignation@fssa.in.gov for questions about the 988 Mobile Crisis Designation.
- What is 988?
988 is a way forward, the beginning of getting help, and someone who gets you. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a direct connection to specialists who are trained in suicide and crisis prevention. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, you can call or text 988 from anywhere in Indiana 24/7.
- If I contact 988 in Indiana, what can I expect?
When calling 988, you can expect help in the form of an empathetic ear, a means for support, information and helpful resources and crisis intervention, if necessary. 988 Crisis specialists are here to listen, support, provide resources and help in any way they can. You will be asked to share your reasons for calling and, from there, the crisis specialist will assess your safety and provide the appropriate help you need.
- Is 988 available for substance use crises?
The Lifeline accepts contacts from anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis, or anyone needing mental health support.
- Is there a cost for contacting 988?
No. The support and services received from the call centers are provided at no charge. However, standard data rates or call charges from telecommunications carriers could apply.
- Can I contact 988 from anywhere in the state?
Yes
- Who will answer my call/text/chat when I contact 988?
The state of Indiana has partnered with five providers to answer contacts to 988.
- Someone to Respond: What is a mobile crisis team?
Mobile Crisis Teams offer community-based intervention to individuals in need wherever they are, including at home, work or anywhere in the community. These teams are comprised of individuals with lived experience and behavioral health professionals.
- A Safe Place for Help: What are crisis receiving and stabilization services?
Crisis receiving and stabilization services offer the community a no-wrong-door access to mental health and substance use care, operating similarly to a hospital emergency room, that accepts all walk-ins and drop-offs. This is short-term in-person care for individuals whose crises cannot be resolved over the phone or with a mobile crisis team.
- How can I help spread awareness about 988 Indiana?
For additional resources to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, browse the 988 promotional toolkit available here.
- What information is collected from me when I contact 988?
If the caller wants to be anonymous, they can remain anonymous. People calling 988 are not required to provide any personal data to receive call center services. Your phone number will be displayed for the center for routing purposes, but callers can take steps to block their number on outbound call (e.g. using *67 or using cell phone operating system settings to block one’s number).
- Can I contact 988 about someone else I am worried about? Not just myself?
Yes. If you are worried about someone else who may be experiencing a crisis, please reach out to 988 and our crisis specialists can help you find appropriate resources in your area that could help you as well as the person you are concerned about.
- Am I speaking to a volunteer or paid person?
There are both paid and volunteer crisis specialists who go through the same hiring and training process. The crisis specialists who answer 988 calls are also required to complete additional trainings throughout the year.
- What types of trainings do the crisis specialists receive?
988 Indiana crisis specialists are trained in suicide and crisis prevention and are required to pass a crisis simulation test with ongoing training throughout the year.
- How is 988 different than 911?
988 is specifically for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. Contact 988 for thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. If you are not sure, call 911
911 remains available for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
- How is 988 Indiana funded?
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration is using various federal and state funding sources to help stand up the system.
- Will I be sent to the hospital if I call?
In most cases, sending you to the hospital is not how 988 will respond to calls. Keeping your best interest and your safety in mind, we will work with you and attempt to avoid sending you to the hospital unless it is deemed necessary. If you feel like you can’t keep yourself safe, it might be suggested, but we will work together, talk with you and come up with other ways to cope and help keep you safe.
- Will you provide me with transportation?
988 does not provide transportation directly, but we’d be more than happy to see if there’s a program in your area or try to come up with a solution for you.
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Communication resources
- Click here to for the 988 Indiana outreach and awareness toolkit.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call 988. Questions about 988 Indiana? Email us at IN988Questions@fssa.IN.gov.