Special to IFN
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services celebrated national 988 Day and commemorated the second anniversary of American Sign Language (ASL) service being available through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
The 988 Lifeline launched in July 2022, offering free one-on-one assistance from judgment-free counselors for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. On September 8, 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched direct video calling to 988 for consumers fluent in ASL.
In the first 22 months of the 988 service, through July 2025, the national 988 ASL videophone service received more than 48,000 calls nationwide. The videophone service is handled by a national call center and not through state centers, and state-by-state data is not available.
“Our department is committed to ensuring all North Carolinians have access to life-saving services, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,” N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai said. “By recognizing 988 Day, we acknowledge the challenges faced by people who are in crisis and celebrate the steps we are taking to make sure individuals, families and communities have access to the help they need.”
“Imagine struggling with your mental health and facing the additional barrier of not being able to effectively communicate with a crisis counselor,” added Tony Davis, director of the NCDHHS Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. “Making 988 available to our Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind community has signified another step toward improving outcomes for people who face greater health and situational challenges.”
988 Day serves to raise awareness and highlight the success of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a nationwide network of more than 200 state and local call centers that provides counseling services for individuals looking for help with suicide, mental health and substance use-related crises. The service provides targeted support for many at-risk populations, including veterans and youth, and features Spanish-language counselors.
North Carolina’s 988 service is operated by the REAL Crisis Center in Greenville (realcrisis.org), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing immediate and ongoing crisis services for anyone in need, free from commitment and at no charge.
From June 2024 through May 2025, 988 in North Carolina averaged more than 11,500 contacts (call, text or chat) per month.
In May 2025, the center received more than 13,300 contacts, including almost 3,000 from people who identified as veterans and more than 200 from Spanish-speaking individuals. A recent survey revealed that one in three callers to 988 from North Carolina say the service saved their life or someone else’s life.
NCDHHS maintains a dashboard with extensive usage stats on 988 in North Carolina. The state is a national leader in 988 implementation.
Kelly Crosbie, director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, noted that almost half of the contacts received by 988 are from someone who has reached out before, an indication they were satisfied with the help they received previously.
“When dealing with mental health issues, sometimes taking that first step is the most difficult,” said Crosbie. “The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers access to trained counselors twenty-four hours a day and allows people to get the help they need when and where they are most comfortable. 988 is one part of a continuum of care and the Department’s effort to build a mental health care system that works for everyone.”
Mental health awareness is highlighted each September, with emphasis on suicide prevention awareness efforts.
Gov. Josh Stein signed a proclamation naming Sept. 7-13 as National Suicide Prevention Week, acknowledging that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people aged 10-40 in North Carolina. September is also National Recovery Month, which brings recognition to evidence-based treatment and recovery practices and honors the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible.
LEARN MORE
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or need someone to talk to, you are not alone. Resources are available on the NCDHHS Suicide Prevention website for social or family situations, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, alcohol or drug use, or if you just need someone to talk to. Our Crisis Services Communications Toolkit includes free flyers, posters and other resources to promote and explain crisis services in your community in English and Spanish.
For those in a mental health crisis, NCDHHS provides somewhere to go, someone to talk to and someone to respond. The 988 Lifeline Chat and Text – 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available to everyone 24/7 by call, text, or chat.
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing, dial 988 on videophone or go to website and click on “Deaf/HoH” button and it will link you directly to a live ASL-fluent counselor. You can also text 988 on your phone or use the live chat option as well.