New Number, Same Support
You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call 988.
The U.S. transitioned the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
To reach the Veterans Crisis Line, Veterans will still Press 1 after dialing 988 to be routed to the same trained Veterans Crisis Line responders. The Veterans Crisis Line is also available by chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat) and text (838255). The Veterans Crisis Line’s 1-800 number will remain operational.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.