Official Site of The State of New Jersey
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 988 provides 24/7 connection to confidential support.
You are not alone.
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress.
That could be:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health or substance use crises
- Emotional distress
- And other reasons to connect (46 seconds)
Learn More:
What to Expect
What to expect when you
You will hear an automated message featuring additional options while your call is routed to your local 988 Lifeline center.
Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line
Press 2 for the Spanish Line
We will play you music while your call is connected.
A trained crisis counselor will answer the phone.
The crisis counselor will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and connect you to specialized local resources.
What to expect when you
You will receive a welcome message featuring additional service options. By texting "next" you will be accepting 988's Terms of Service. You can stop the interaction at any time by texting "stop"
You may text the Veterans Crisis Line
directly at 838255
You will be asked to participate in a brief survey to assist the counselor.
Questions include:
Please share if you have thoughts of suicide.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how upset are you?
A live counselor will be with you shortly.
The crisis counselor will understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and connect you to specialized local resources
What to expect when you
Go to chat.988lifeline.org
and complete the brief, pre-chat survey.
Questions include:
Zip Code
Do you have thoughts of suicide?
On a scale of 1 to 5, how upset are you?
You will be notified that you have entered the chat que.
A live crisis counselor will enter the chat and understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and connect you to specialized local resources
Crisis Services
The new, three-digit dialing code is a part of a larger crisis care continuum being developed in New Jersey known as the 988 system.
The system is being set up with the guiding principle that there will always be Someone to Contact, Someone to Respond, and A Safe Place for Help.
Someone to Contact
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national hotline offering one-on-one support for mental health, suicide, and substance use-related problems for anyone 24/7. No matter where you are in the United States, you can call or text the number 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org and connect with a skilled, compassionate crisis counselor.
The 988 Lifeline is a direct connection to immediate support and resources for anyone in crisis. There is no reason too big or too small to reach out to 988. People can also call, text or chat 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 call, chat, and text services are available in English and Spanish. Call services with interpreters are available in more than 240 languages.
In New Jersey, there are currently 4 Lifeline centers responding to contacts that come through 988.
Also Available
New Jersey has available a number of specialized call lines to support individuals in need.
These lines include:
Someone to Respond
The NJ 988 Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Team (MCORT) program responds 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to adults experiencing non-life-threatening mental health, substance use or suicidal crises in the community.
MCORTs are comprised of a two-person team in the field under remote supervision by a third professional. The team includes: a trained peer support specialist, a bachelor’s level professional with related educational and professional experience, and a master’s level supervisor providing clinical consultation from a remote location.
MCORTs support individuals 18 or older by de-escalating crises, providing linkage to ongoing community services, and follow-up support.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline centers are the only entities that are able to request a dispatch for MCORT. If you are interested in receiving MCORT services, please call 988 for an evaluation of need.
Also Available
Several additional crisis response services are available in New Jersey and can be accessed by individuals directly or by someone concerned for a person in crisis.
These services include:
- Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services
- Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services
- Crisis Assessment Response and Enhancement Services (NJ CARES)
- Police, Fire and EMS (dispatched via 911)
A Safe Place for Help
In Development
NJ DMHAS is developing Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Centers (CRSCs).
Once available, CRSCs will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year across the state, providing short-term (less than 24 hours) community-based services to individuals experiencing a suicidal, mental health or substance use crisis. Services will be provided in a home-like, non-hospital environment that serves everyone who comes through its doors regardless of insurance, payer source or ability to pay. CRSC admission will be voluntary and those who enter may leave at any time unless determined to be a danger to self or others. In this case, the local Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services (PESS) will be contacted to evaluate the individual for a higher level of care.
CRSCs will be able to receive walk-ins as well as individuals dropped off by law enforcement and fire departments. The CRSC programs will provide an effective, timely and trauma-informed assessment to individuals 18 or older who present with a behavioral health crisis.
CRSCs will be staffed 24/7/365 with a multidisciplinary team of professionals to include: a Licensed Board-Certified Psychiatrist or a Licensed Advanced Practice Nurse, a Licensed Registered Nurse, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and/or Licensed Professional Counselor, a Behavioral Health Technician, and at least one Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) or National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS).
Available Now
While CRSCs are in development, there are several stabilization services already available in New Jersey and can be accessed by individuals directly or by someone concerned for a person in crisis.
These services include:
For questions not answered here or for additional information, please email 988Questions@dhs.nj.gov