Beginning today, Idahoans facing a mental health crisis can call 988 for help.

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act became law in 2020, creating 988 as the national dialing code. It will be the 911 equivalent for behavioral health crises.

“That’s going to be a good thing for Idahoans, no matter what community they live in,” said Lee Flinn, Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline director.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in Idaho. The state consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally for suicides, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.

People commonly call crisis hotlines because they’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or struggling to get through the day due to depression or anxiety.

Others call because they need help with substance abuse or they’re grappling with a major life change, such as the loss of a job or a breakup.

“They’re real struggles that, as humans, most of us are going to have at some point in our life,” Flinn said.

At the state level, local organizations partnered with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will answer 988 calls. That includes the Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline.

Since it launched about 10 years ago, the Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline has reportedly fielded more than 77,000 contacts from across Idaho. Contacts come from people in crisis, as well as friends and family of those in distress.

The hotline has received an increasing call volume lately, Flinn said.

That’s a good thing, she said, because it means more people are seeking help.

“When a person is struggling and they feel they can use some extra support, then it’s a really good step to take and reach out,” Flinn said. “We are always here and ready to listen.”

To prepare for an even greater influx of calls, Flinn said the Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline has hired more crisis responders and staff have gone through additional training.

The new crisis line is part of a broader effort at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to expand mental health response services.

Crisis response includes support and de-escalation over the phone, as well as mobile response teams that, when appropriate, can meet callers where they are and connect them with additional services.

Above all, the hotline aims to help those in crisis to stay safe long enough to access local resources.

“It can make all the difference in helping them get through the day,” Flinn said.