Should I Call 988 or the Veterans Crisis Line?
People often ask me “Should I call the Missouri 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or the Veterans Crisis Line?” The good news is both will help individuals in crisis. No matter which one you contact, you will not be turned away. About Missouri’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a three-digit number for anyone experiencing emotional distress or going through a mental health, substance misuse, or suicide crisis. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to offer you free and confidential support whenever you need it. Contacting 988 provides rapid access to crisis services through a trained crisis specialist. They will work with you to address your immediate needs, offer support, and connect you with local resources and services, if needed. Missouri follows national best practices by providing crisis services in three ways: To learn more visit Missouri 988. About the Veterans Crisis Line When you connect with the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), you are connecting with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ crisis services. Just like Missouri’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential. The VCL can be accessed through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; when prompted, Veterans press 1. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number—1-800-273-8255 and Press 1—by text (838255), and through chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat). If you or the Veteran or service member you’re concerned about is in danger, the VCL responder (a trained crisis specialist) will help you get through the crisis and then connect you with the services you need, either from your local VA medical center or elsewhere in your community. If you decide to share contact information, the suicide prevention coordinator at the nearest VA medical center will contact you by the next business day for continued support. To learn more visit Veterans Crisis Line. Missouri 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line are similar. Both crisis care systems provide free and confidential services, staffed with trained crisis specialists who will help you get through the crisis and connect you to resources, if needed. However, there are a couple of differences between the two crisis systems. It is worth mentioning that Missouri is currently working on developing trainings for crisis specialists when working with special populations, including Veterans and service members. Should you call the Missouri 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or the Veterans Crisis Line? Both will help individuals in crisis or emotional distress. What really matters is that you reach out. Together, we can all help prevent suicide.
