Frequently Asked Questions
Life can be hard sometimes. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. 988 is a free and confidential number that will connect you to caring, judgement-free support. Talking with someone who cares can help you feel better and even save your life. If you are struggling, or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
988 is a 3-digit number for suicide prevention and crisis services. Anyone can use this number to get support and resources if they are struggling and need someone to talk to. When you call, text or chat (at 988lifeline.org), you will be connected to someone at the closest crisis hotline. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
When you Call or Text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to Chat, you will be connected to a trained Crisis Support Specialist.
Currently, calls from Maine to 988 are answered at the Maine Crisis Line.
Text to 988 and chat to 988lifeline.org are answered at a national 988 contact center who can provide support and connect you to the Maine Crisis Line if necessary.
Using the text and chat functions on this website will automatically connect you directly to the Maine Crisis Line.
Anyone going through a mental health or substance use crisis can reach out to 988. A crisis is defined by you. If you–or a friend or family member– have feelings or thoughts that are overwhelming or scary , you may be in crisis.
If you think it would be helpful to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, then you can always call, text or chat 988. A “crisis” is something that only you can define for yourself. The 988 crisis support specialists will listen and offer help without judgement.
Yes! If you are worried about someone else, please reach out to 988. Our Crisis Support Specialists can help you find the right support and resources in your area that could help you as well as your friend or loved one.
The Maine Crisis Line (MCL) is still active. Anyone going through a suicidal crisis or having a hard time can call MCL at (888) 568-1112. MCL also serves as Maine’s 988 contact center. The same Crisis Support Specialists answer 988 and MCL calls, texts and chats from anyone in Maine. MCL Crisis Support Specialists are here to answer MCL and 988 crisis hotlines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. MCL also serves as the hub for all Maine crisis services.
988 is an easy-to-remember number for suicide and mental health crisis support.
911 is still the number for safety emergencies and medical concerns (e.g., reporting a fire or a crime, when someone needs an ambulance, etc.).
911 isn’t going away, 988 is just another option for anyone having thoughts of suicide or struggling with mental health and substance use.
If someone calls 988 during a mental health or substance use crisis AND they need help from police, firefighters, or an ambulance to save their life, a 988 Crisis Support Specialist may connect them to 911. Less than 1% of crisis calls in Maine need to be sent to 911.
If someone calls 911 for help with a mental health or substance use crisis, but they are not in immediate danger, 911 can offer to transfer the call to 988.
Step 1
First, you’ll hear a message that gives you service selection options (Veterans, Spanish Language, or your local 988 contact center),
Listen to the pre-recorded message (mp3).
Step 2
If you don’t choose any of the specialty options, you will hear some hold music while you are connected to a Crisis Support Specialist at the 988 contact center nearest you (if you’re calling from Maine, this will be the Maine Crisis Line).
Step 3
A Crisis Support Specialist will say hello, introduce themselves and check that you are safe. For the rest of the conversation, they will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.
Texting from this website
The text “button” on this website sends you directly to the Maine Crisis Line. The same Crisis Support Specialists answer contacts to the Maine Crisis Line and 988 contacts from Maine.
Texting 988 Directly
Step 1*
When you send a text to 988, you will be given options to connect with a counselor from the Veterans, Spanish-language, or the main 988 Lifeline.
Step 2
When you text “next” you will be accepting the 988 Terms of Service.
Step 3
You will then see a few short questions to help the 988 Crisis Support Specialist understand how they can support you.
Step 4
You’ll receive a “wait” message with optional survey while being connected to someone.
Step 5
The 988 Crisis Support Specialist will greet you, introduce themselves, and check that you are safe. For the rest of the conversation, you can share whatever you want to about your crisis with the Crisis Support Specialist. They will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.
Step 6
Once your conversation has ended, you will receive a text with a thank you message and a link to an optional feedback survey.
*Currently, Text to 988 is answered by a national 988 contact center, not by the Maine Crisis Line. To text MCL directly, use the text “button” on this website, or send a text directly to (888)568-1112.
Chatting from this website
The chat “button” on this website sends you directly to the Maine Crisis Line. The same Crisis Support Specialists answer contacts to the Maine Crisis Line and 988 contacts from Maine.
Step 1*
Visit the 988lifeline.org website. After clicking “Chat” a short survey will open. This survey helps 988 Crisis Support Specialists understand how to best support you and helps 988 send your chat to the closest 988 contact center.
Step 2
When you click “Start a Chat”, you are accepting the Terms of Service.
Step 3
You will then see a screen that indicates that you are connecting to a Crisis Support Specialist.
Step 4
The Crisis Support Specialist will greet you, introduce themselves, and check that you are safe. For the rest of the conversation, you can share whatever you want to about your crisis. The 988 Crisis Support Specialist will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.
*Currently, chats from Maine to 988 are answered by a national 988 contact center, not by the Maine Crisis Line (MCL). To chat MCL directly, use the chat “button” on this website, or go to heretohelpmaine.com and click “Chat.”
If someone with a mental health crisis needs or wants immediate, in-person support, the 988 Crisis Support Specialist can connect them to a local mobile crisis team. Mobile crisis teams work all over the state and are trained to help people going through a mental health crises. The mobile crisis team will come to wherever the person is to give support, help figure out next steps and connect them with other helpful services in their communities.
If you’re using text and chat, the fastest way to reach a mobile crisis team in Maine is to text MCL at (888) 568-1112, or chat online at heretohelpmaine.org
No. The support and services received from 988 are provided at no cost to you. Standard data rates or call charges from telecommunications carriers could apply.
That’s completely up to you. If you want to be anonymous, you can remain anonymous. If you contact 988 you do not have to provide any personal information to get help. Your phone number will be displayed to the center for routing purposes, but callers can take steps to block their number on outbound calls.
People who chat via 988lifeline.org have to give their zip code to be connected to the closest 988 contact center. No other contact information is needed and anything provided will remain protected by privacy laws.
