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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Michigan Crisis & Access Line

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If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit the Lifeline Chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Introduction

This website is intended to provide general information related to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Michigan. You can visit the MiCAL Website for more information specific to MiCAL, its services, public resources, and updates. For other general questions, feedback, or to file a formal complaint related to 988 or MiCAL, click here to contact us. Please save the line for those in need and only call 988 if you need behavioral health help.

988 Graphic

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
24/7 Crisis Line | Phone: 988 | Our Network: Lifeline

Nationwide line connecting calls to local 988 call centers

MiCAL Graphic

Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL)
24/7 Crisis Line | MiCAL Website

Michigan’s central crisis line that answers 988 calls

Overview

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formally known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), is a 24/7 toll-free nationwide hotline, made up of a network of independently operated and funded local call centers (200+) across the country where compassionate care and accessible support is available. Lifeline call centers are free and confidential.

On July 16, 2022, 988 became the new three-digit dialing code that routes callers to local 988 call centers. Moving to 988 does not mean the 1-800-273-8255 number goes away and using either number will get people to the same services. 988 is for anyone experiencing behavioral health-related distress—whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or 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. 

In the end, 988 is an easier-to-remember way to access a strengthened and expanded network of crisis call centers. 988 is not intended only for suicide-related crises. The Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats, or texts from anyone who needs support for suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, and connects those in need with trained crisis counselors.

Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL)

The Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL) is the statewide crisis and access line. MiCAL is a 988 call center and is primarily responsible for answering 988 calls originating from Michigan, except for seven counties where three regional 988 call centers provide primary coverage and MiCAL provides back up coverage (see 988 coverage map). The Michigan Legislature gave Michigan an advantage by codifying and funding the Michigan Crisis and Access Line back in 2020. In doing so, the Michigan Legislature gave Michigan a head start in developing a comprehensive statewide call center.

MiCAL is staffed by Common Ground with call specialists from over 18 different counties across the state of Michigan, both in the lower and upper peninsula. Common Ground has over 50 years of experience operating a crisis line and also operates mobile crisis and a crisis stabilization unit‐like facility. 

988 & MiCAL Crisis Line Graphic

Michigan’s 988 Implementation

In 2022, MDDHS focused on rolling MiCAL out statewide, ensuring adequate statewide coverage and the sharing of common practices. Our focus and priority was to first develop and strengthen infrastructure to increase Michigan’s capacity to meet needs and requirements. Other key focus areas are stakeholder engagement, marketing, stable diversified funding, and 911/988 collaboration.

988 Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement
Marketing and public awareness efforts for 988 were set to begin in 2023 and to prepare, we requested stakeholders to replace the NSPL/800 number with 988 on any materials and notify us of any additional places it may need to be changed (i.e.: posters, websites). 

We are currently focusing our efforts on marketing and advertising the 988-dialing code throughout Michigan. We encourage stakeholders to start advertising and distributing 988 information. Stakeholders are free to share the 988 number openly and use SAMHSA materials at their discretion. 

Starting in January 2023 marketing efforts for 988 in Michigan have officially gone live! Prior to 2023 we had asked stakeholders to hold off on any and all 988 marketing and advertising efforts in Michigan. Now we are encouraging all Stakeholders to feel free to openly publish, share, advertise, and market 988 and 988 relevant information through their designated communication channels.  MDHHS would like to ensure that 988 in Michigan is accessible to all Michiganders, especially those who may be at a statistically heightened risk for a behavioral health crisis. Thus, MDHHS is currently partnering with Michigan Stakeholders to identify public awareness activities that specifically focus on targeting and reaching high-risk or underserved populations. Stakeholders are free to share the 988 number openly and use Michigan Specific or SAMHSA materials at their discretion.

FAQ

  • 988 is a direct, three-digit, and easy to remember phone number to 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call centers nationwide (formally known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). 988 is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Trained counselors, who are not clinicians, are available to provide free, confidential emotional support for people in distress and answer all calls at local crisis call centers. With an easy to remember number like 988, the Lifeline hopes to reach many more people in emotional crisis and connect those to services if needed.
  • The Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL) is Michigan’s statewide crisis and access line. It is Michigan’s central crisis line that accepts 988 calls originating from Michigan. MiCAL is not a replacement for Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSP), Crisis Lines, and Specialist Crisis Services. CMHSP crisis lines fill an important role of providing integrated crisis care for people who receive CMHSP services. MiCAL also provides the Michigan Peer Warmline, staffed by MDHHS certified Peer Support Specialists, and the Frontline Strong Together line for first responders. For more information on these lines, please visit the MiCAL Website.

    MiCAL is primarily responsible for answering 988 calls statewide except in Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Macomb, St. Joseph, & Van Buren counties where, three regional call centers provide primary coverage and, MiCAL provides backup call coverage to the existing 988 call centers. Calls are routed by area code, not by location. See the coverage map.

     

  • 988 is a direct, three-digit, and easy to remember phone number to 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call centers nationwide (formally known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). MiCAL is Michigan’s central crisis line and 988 call center, primarily responsible for answering the majority of 988 calls in Michigan.

  • Behavioral health support and suicide prevention are critical needs. Since 2008, suicide has ranked as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. The adoption of the new three-digit number reflects a commitment to delivering necessary intervention services. Like using 911 for emergency calls, switching to an easy-to-remember 988 for suicide prevention and mental health crisis services will make it easier for Americans in crisis to access the help they need and decrease the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health issues.
  • When calling 988, callers first hear a greeting message while their call is routed to the local Lifeline network crisis center (based on the caller’s area code). A trained crisis counselor answers the phone, listens to the caller, understands how their problem is affecting them, provides support, and shares resources if needed. If the local crisis center is unable to take the call, the caller is automatically routed to a national backup crisis center. The Lifeline provides live crisis center phone services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages for people who call 988.
  • Chat (English only) is available through the Lifeline’s website at https://988lifeline.org/chat/. People seeking chat services are provided a pre-chat survey before connecting with a counselor, who identifies the main area of concern. If there is a wait to chat with a crisis counselor, a wait-time message will appear. If demand is high, people can access the Lifeline’s “helpful resources” while waiting. Once you are connected, a crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful.
  • When someone texts to 988, they are responded to by a group of Lifeline crisis centers that answer both chats and texts. This service will expand over the next few years to increase local and state level response. Once you are connected, a crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful. Currently, texting is available in English only.
  • Anyone. 988 is for anyone in emotional distress or having a behavioral health or suicidal crisis. It is also for an individual who is worried about a loved one and not sure how to support that person or where to get them help. Trained counselors, who are not clinicians, are available to provide free, confidential emotional support to all callers.
  • No. With the implementation of 988, the Lifeline’s purpose is expanding to provide support for people with any behavioral health crisis (crisis is defined by the caller). It is no longer just for people who are feeling suicidal. 
  • No. Moving to 988 does not mean that the 800 number goes away. Dialing either number will get people to the same services, no matter which number they use. In the end, 988 is an easier-to-remember way for people to access a strengthened and expanded network of crisis call centers. The same centers that answer the 800 number will answer 988.
  • The 988 number was established to improve access to behavioral health crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. The 988 number is distinct from the public safety purposes of 911 because it serves as an access point to both resources and certified crisis workers who are trained in crisis de-escalation. 911’s focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services (EMS), fire, and police as needed. 
  • When an individual contacts 988, 911 is not automatically dispatched. Currently, less than 1% of 988 calls have required emergency interventions or activation of the 911 system in Michigan. A crisis specialist would only share information crucial to saving a life with 911 in situations where there is imminent risk to someone’s life that cannot be reduced during the interaction. For more details, click here: Vibrant: 988 Police Intervention
  • Increased collaboration between 988, 911, and the Emergency Services Program will give more options for those in crisis, such as dispatching mobile crisis teams to individuals in mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis rather than police, fire, or EMS, and greater coordination of care options like crisis stabilization units.
  • Veterans can use this new option to access the Veterans Crisis line by dialing 988 then pressing 1. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the current phone number—1-800-273-8255 and Press 1— through chat, and by text (838255). For more information, please visit: What is 988? (veteranscrisisline.net)
  • The Lifeline currently provides live crisis center calling services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages. Text and chat are currently available in English only.
  • The Lifeline currently serves TTY users either through their preferred relay service or by dialing 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Lifeline also offers services through chat and text. Lifeline is in the process of expanding to video phone service to better serve deaf or hard of hearing individuals seeking help through the Lifeline/988.
  • Per Vibrant and SAMHSA’s original recommendations, Michigan decided to wait until 2023 to initiate marketing for 988.  In 2022, our focus was on developing and strengthening infrastructure (resources, staff, and coordination). Beginning in 2023, we are focusing our efforts on marketing and advertising the 988-dialing code throughout Michigan.
  • Now. We are focusing our efforts on marketing and advertising the 988-dialing code throughout Michigan and encourage stakeholders to start advertising and distributing 988 information. Stakeholders are free to share the 988 number openly and use SAMHSA materials at their discretion.

  • Please contact us at MPCIP-support@mphi.org if you would like to get involved or have questions.