If Someone May Be Suicidal: Call 988 or 911 and What to Do Next

ByBrian “Weence” Bateman

If someone might be suicidal, your first job is safety. Use 988 (call/text/chat) to reach crisis support—and call 911 if there’s imminent physical danger. While you wait, stay with them if you can, ask directly, and reduce access to lethal means.

If someone may be thinking about suicide, the most important thing you can do is help them get support right now—and keep them safe while you’re waiting.

In the U.S., you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by call, text, or chat. If there is imminent physical danger, call 911.

Quick decision guide: 988 vs. 911

  • Choose 988 when someone is in crisis or you’re worried about suicide and need trained crisis support.
  • Choose 911 when there is immediate, life-threatening danger—for example, an attempt has happened, someone has a plan and the means are available right now, or there’s urgent medical danger that needs emergency responders.

How to use 988 (call, text, or chat)

988 supports multiple ways to get help:

What to expect: you’ll be connected through a network of crisis contact centers. Your call, text, or chat may be routed differently depending on the method you use, which can affect connection timing.

Why response time can vary (and why that doesn’t mean you failed)

It’s normal to wonder, “Will they answer right away?” The honest answer is: it depends.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) describes how 988 contacts are routed and how “capacity” is measured (for example, staffing/answer rates and average time to answer). GAO also notes that call volume has increased over time, and that routing and capacity conditions can change.

What’s known: routing and capacity can shift.

What’s not known: the exact wait time for the moment you reach out.

What to do while you’re waiting (step-by-step)

  • Stay with them if you can. Being there (by phone or in person) can reduce isolation and keep them engaged with support.
  • Ask directly about suicide. You can say something like, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends asking directly when you’re concerned.
  • Keep them safe by reducing access to lethal means. APA advises taking steps to limit access to items or situations that could be used to harm themselves.
  • Match the urgency to the risk. If the situation seems immediately life-threatening, treat it like an emergency and call 911.

After the first moments: follow-through matters

Once emergency help is underway (or once 988 connects you with crisis professionals), focus on continuity:

  • Let them know you’re still there. APA recommends staying present and communicating support.
  • Follow the next-step plan given by the crisis professionals or other clinicians. If ongoing mental health support is recommended, help them connect to it.

Even if the immediate crisis seems to ease, risk can return when stressors don’t go away—so follow-up support is important.

LGBTQ+ youth note: “Press 3” uncertainty—what to do in the meantime

Certain LGBTQ+ youth may have previously had access to specialized routing options through 988, often discussed as a “Press 3” option. Recent reporting has highlighted uncertainty about whether a specialized option will relaunch in the same way, including concerns about whether a specific provider will be eligible to offer that service.

If a specialized option isn’t available when someone calls or texts: encourage them to use general 988 services anyway. The lifeline is designed to provide crisis support and connect callers, texters, and chat users to appropriate local help.

Evidence context: what research can (and can’t) tell you

Research published in JAMA examined suicide mortality among adolescents and young adults after the 988 Lifeline launch at the population level. Studies like this can help inform public health planning, but they can’t predict what will happen for one person in a specific moment.

In the moment, your responsibility is the same: prioritize safety, use the right emergency channel if needed, and connect to support while you’re waiting.

Sources

Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.

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Brian “Weence” Bateman is a health and medical writer who covers public health updates, healthcare policy, and medical developments affecting communities across the United States. He works closely with dentists and healthcare providers and focuses on making complex medical information clear, accurate, and useful for everyday readers.