988 Suicide Hotline Linked to 4,372 Fewer Youth Deaths, JAMA Study Finds
A study published April 22 in JAMA found that suicide rates among people aged 15 to 34 dropped about 11% after the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in July 2022, translating to 4,372 fewer deaths than projected. States with the highest increases in 988 usage saw an 18.2% reduction in suicides.
Suicide rates among young people fell sharply after the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, with 4,372 fewer deaths than researchers had projected, according to a study published April 22 in JAMA.
The research analyzed suicide deaths from July 2022 through December 2024 and found deaths among people aged 15 to 34 were about 11% lower than expected based on past trends.
The link between hotline use and outcomes was direct. The 10 states with the biggest increases in 988 usage saw an 18.2% reduction in suicides compared to predictions. The 10 states with the lowest hotline use saw a smaller decline of about 10.6%.
Dr. Vishal Patel, a study co-author, said the findings show a "measurable reduction of deaths" and called for sustained funding for the program. The 988 hotline launched in July 2022, replacing a longer number, and was backed by $1.5 billion to expand crisis services. Federal data show it has responded to over 25 million calls, texts, and chats since launch.
Researchers accounted for other possible factors by noting a smaller drop in suicide rates among older adults, who are less likely to use the hotline, and by pointing to the absence of a similar decline in England, where the national crisis line remained unchanged during the same period.
Hannah Wesolowski, chief advocacy officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness, called the results "strong evidence to double down on what we are doing."
The 988 hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by call, text, or chat.
