As of Saturday, July 16, the new 9-8-8 crisis lifeline is live. The new number replaces the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and creates an easy-to-remember number nationwide for people to call for mental health emergencies. This new national line is an important step toward strengthening and transforming the crisis care continuum in the U.S.
This new line also transitions the nationwide Veterans Crisis Line. If you are a veteran, dial 988 and press 1. Callers will be screened for veteran status and connected to national and local veteran resources such as the King County Veterans Program.
If you or a loved one is actively experiencing a behavioral health crisis, King County still recommends you call the King County Regional Crisis Line at Crisis Connections at 206-461-3222, or 1-866-427-4747, or www.CrisisConnections.org. Crisis Connections is the best way to connect to local crisis response services.
King County Department of Community and Human Services will continue to promote and direct people in need of help regionally to the King County Regional Crisis Line. You can learn more about Crisis Services within our Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) here. Both the 206-461-3222, or 1-866-427-4747 numbers are operated by Crisis Connections, but the County line directly connects individuals with crisis services such as designated crisis responders and mobile crisis teams.
The Department of Health and the Health Care Authority expect an increase in call volume, and we will continue working in coordination with Crisis Connections and the Department of Health to make sure these systems are streamlined.
