Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
Ahead of 988 Day, Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08) joined Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) to reintroduce the 988 Implementation Act with Congressmembers Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Troy Carter (LA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Becca Balint (VT-AL), and Kim Schrier (WA-08). The comprehensive legislative package will provide states with federal resources to build the crisis response infrastructure behind the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Since its launch in 2022, the 988 Lifeline has received more than 26 million calls, texts, chats, and ASL videophone contacts from people seeking help across America.
“When someone reaches out for help in a moment of crisis, we have a responsibility to make sure help is there,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “988 has become a lifesaving resource for millions of Americans, but answering the call cannot be where our responsibility ends. We built a national front door to crisis care with 988. Now we need to strengthen what comes next by expanding mobile crisis response, increasing access to immediate community-based care, and connecting people to the treatment and support they need.”
“Everyday, millions of Americans face mental challenges and are unsure where to go for help,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Taskforce. “The 988 hotline streamlines resources for those in need, as part of a network of over 200 local crisis centers, yet only thirteen-percent of adults are aware of this critical resource. I am proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing the 988 Implementation Act to build upon the critical progress we have made, and further ensure that our communities are properly equipped with crisis-response services.”
“Since its launch, the 988 Lifeline has connected more than 26 million Americans with the support they need in moments of crisis,” said Congressman Beyer, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. “That’s an extraordinary achievement, and we must build on that success to save more lives and ensure no one falls through the cracks. Our 988 Implementation Act would further strengthen our crisis response system by ensuring trained professionals are available around the clock, crisis teams are equipped to respond in communities, and those in need can access care and services without facing financial barriers.”
“Americans deserve compassionate care when they are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “That is why I am joining Representatives Matsui and Fitzpatrick in introducing the 988 Implementation Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the 988 Crisis Lifeline. It includes the 988 Community Infrastructure Act, a bill I introduced to help communities build or expand the facilities they need, so people in crisis can get timely care in a more welcoming and appropriate setting—not an emergency room or with law enforcement. By investing in the critical 988 lifeline, we can improve access to trained mental health specialists and ensure that no one falls through the cracks when they need help most.”
“Our nation is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis, and all too often people who are struggling don’t know where to turn to for help,” said Congressman Carter. “The 988 Crisis Line is a lifeline for so many people in our country. It connects them to care, to treatment, and to hope. I’m proud to support this important legislation that prioritizes the mental health and wellbeing of American citizens by investing in community-based crisis response, breaking down barriers to accessing mental healthcare treatment, and ensuring everyone knows where to turn to in moments of crisis.”
“Calling 988 takes courage, and answering takes patience and care. Our job is to support both,” said Congresswoman Trahan, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “We all know someone who has struggled with mental health or substance use and wished there was more help within reach. This bill delivers it, with a faster response, a real place to turn, and trained professionals ready to pick up the phone.”
“I’m extraordinarily proud of the success of the 988 lifeline since its implementation. The high volume of calls and messages to 988 shows that Americans are still in dire need of improved mental health resources,” said Congressman Moulton. “It is critical that we continue advocating for more funding and expanded 988 services. The suite of bills contained within the 988 Implementation Act will provide federal support for states to enact 988 and crisis services, improve 988 implementation at the local level, expand access to critical services, and broaden awareness of available resources.”
“America’s mental health epidemic leaves millions of our neighbors without access to the care they desperately need,” said Congressman Raskin. “I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this critical bipartisan legislation that will greatly expand access to mental health crisis response teams, an expert presence beside our people during the darkest moments.”
“Too many Americans in crisis are left without safe access to care,” said Congressman Goldman. “The 988 Lifeline is a proven system for getting people the help they need when they need it most. That’s why I’m proud to join in introducing the 988 Implementation Act to give states better resources to bolster their crisis response infrastructure and develop a full continuum of care that prioritizes safety and dignity for all communities.”
“Every year, 988 call centers respond to hundreds of thousands of calls and work around the clock to provide callers with the mental health and crisis management care they need. The 988 Implementation Act will increase access to care with greater support, workforce development opportunities and more,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “I applaud Reps. Matsui and Fitzpatrick for their leadership on this critical issue, and I’m grateful that they incorporated my legislation to provide and expand coverage for behavioral health crisis response services into the bill. Together, we can improve mental health nationwide and ensure 988 continues to help those in our communities who need it most.”
“Especially during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I’m incredibly proud to be introducing the 988 and 911 Integration Act,” said Congresswoman Balint. “One of my top priorities in Congress is reducing stigma and taking real action to improve access to mental healthcare. We know that mental health affects not just individuals, but also their families and communities, too. This bill, alongside the broader 988 Implementation Act, would help local communities strengthen and better utilize 988 resources–a lifeline for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis–and bridge gaps in care in communities all over the country.”
“As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how severe our youth and adult mental health crisis has become,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “It is so important that when our family members, loved ones, and neighbors are in crisis, they can get immediate help. The 988 Crisis Line saves lives and strengthens our communities. We need to make sure that 988 teams are always available for every American as a reliable resource when our community members need help.”
As America’s mental health crisis worsens, 988 has spent the past four years demonstrating the lifesaving power of connecting people in crisis with the right help at the right time. A study published this year by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) found that suicide deaths among children and young adults fell 11% below projected levels following the launch of 988, the largest declines were seen in states where 988 use increased most.
But answering the call is only the first step. Someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis may also need a trained professional to respond in person, a safe place to receive immediate care, or assistance with continued treatment. Today, access to those services still vary significantly depending on where someone lives.
The 988 Implementation Act will help address those gaps in access to care by:
- Strengthening federal funding for 988 regional and local call centers to deliver timely, 24/7 response to callers,
- Expanding community-based and mobile crisis response so trained behavioral health professionals can reach someone who needs in-person support,
- Improving access and affordability by requiring health insurance plans to cover crisis services,
- Growing crisis workforce development with more funding for training and scholarship opportunities, and
- Increasing awareness of 988 through a national suicide prevention and crisis services campaign.
The legislation is supported by more than 35 organizations including mental health advocates, clinical and medical professionals, state and local government officials, civil rights advocates, veterans, and more.
“The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has transformed how people can access support during mental health, substance use and suicide crises,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “We must continue building this progress by ensuring 988 has the resources, infrastructure and workforce needed to meet the needs of people in crisis. NAMI is grateful to Rep. Matsui for the introduction of the 988 Implementation Act, which will help strengthen the Lifeline and ensure communities can deliver the compassionate, timely mental health response that people deserve.”
The 988 Implementation Act is endorsed by the following organizations: American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), American Association on Health and Disability, American Group Psychotherapy Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare (AABH), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Connections Health Solutions, Crisis Text Line, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Easterseals, Inc., Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice, Huntington’s Disease Society of America, International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Lakeshore Foundation, Legal Action Center, NAMI, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National League for Nursing, Overdose Prevention Initiative at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), SMART Recovery, Steinberg Institute, Sycamores, The American Counseling Association, The Miles Hall Foundation, The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, The National Federation of Families, The Paramedic Foundation/American College of Paramedics/American Paramedic Association, The Trevor Project, Tourette Association of America, and Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC).
Full text of the 988 Implementation Act can be found HERE.
A one-pager on the 988 Implementation Act can be read HERE.