Health Care

988 crisis hotline launch spurred mental health system overhauls

The 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was implemented in July 2022.
Part of the 988helpline.org website is photographed Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick

The 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has ushered in major changes in how states approach mental health care in the nearly two years since its implementation.

After transitioning from its old 10-digit number in July 2022, lawmakers across the political spectrum have embraced a range of legislation to support the service and expand its reach, including creating permanent funding for the call service and reinforcing states’ crisis care systems.

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