As the United States prepares for the July 2022 transition to 988 as an easy to remember three-digit dialing, texting, and chat code for anyone experiencing a suicidal or mental health crises or emotional distress, it’s important that messaging efforts are aligned, coordinated, and consistent. To help organizations consider when and how to develop public messages about 988, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance)—the nation’s public-private partnership committed to advancing suicide prevention and changing the conversation about mental health and suicide prevention—recently released the 988 Messaging Framework. The 988 Messaging Framework, developed in collaboration with a 988 Messaging Task Force co-led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Vibrant Emotional Health (operational home to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), provides broad guidance for organizations about when and how to develop public messages about 988. As you develop 988 messages,the New England PTTC encourages you to use this new resource to help inform your planning and to ensure our nation’s 988 messaging is strategic, aligned, and effective. To learn more, visit 988messaging.org. 

The SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline resources and information page is designed to help states, territories, tribes, mental health and substance use disorder.