(NewsNation) — The 988 Suicide & Crisis Line achieved its two-year milestone on Tuesday, revealing more than 10 million modes of contact have been made to the suicide and distress-prevention hotline.
The eight-figure sum refers to calls, text message and chat messages received by the largely government-funded entity.
President Joe Biden’s administration has invested close to $1.5 billion into 988 since its inception.
“We know that 988 is saving lives and helping millions of people. I hope anyone who feels alone, or that they are without options, knows that 988 is there to help,” Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release.
Counselors are available to those who use the 988 platforms 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Of the 10 million interactions, 1.7 million were texts.
Close to 1.2 million of calls to 988 were answered by the “Veterans Crisis Line”; an option available by pressing 1 upon placing a call.
There are more than 200 call centers across the nation, most of which function directly from state and localized funding.
“Next up is a georouting solution that will make it possible for callers in crisis to get help near where they are, instead of just based on the area code of their device,” Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.
“This will protect privacy while also ensuring that those who reach out to 988 can get connected to a local crisis center when and where they need it.”
