RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services commemorated 988 Day on Tuesday (Sept.8) with the unveiling of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline signage to put in state government parking lots throughout Raleigh. These efforts, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Administration, are bringing awareness to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and support NCDHHS’ broader crisis response efforts.
This year, NCDHHS recognized the fourth anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline following its launch in July 2022. The lifeline offers free, private support and is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish by phone, text, or online chat for anyone experiencing depression, emotional distress, a mental health crisis, thoughts of self-harm, or for anyone who simply needs someone to talk to. On Sept. 8, 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched direct video calling to 988 for consumers fluent in ASL.
“The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is an invaluable resource for people who are experiencing a crisis and need support, as well as for family members and loved ones who need someone to talk to,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “The 988 signs to be put in state government parking garages serve as an important reminder that you are not alone and resources like the 988 Lifeline are available to support you and your loved ones when it is needed most.”
988 Day, held annually on Sept. 8, serves to raise awareness and highlight the success of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a nationwide network of more than 200 state and local call centers that provides counseling services for individuals looking for help with suicide, mental health and substance use-related crises. The service provides targeted support for many at-risk populations, including veterans and youth. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has also developed a toolkit for 988 Day, with social media shareables, posters and more around the 2026 theme of “988 Reasons: Your reason is reason enough.”
Since its inception, in North Carolina, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has become an important part of NCDHHS’ crisis response efforts, with contacts increasing as the service becomes more widely known. In the six months ending May 31, 2026, 988 averaged 15,972 contacts (calls, chats and texts) per month. That represented a 10% increase over the previous six months and is more than double the number of contacts 988 received in its first 12 months of operation. For additional statewide data on 988, visit the North Carolina 988 Performance Dashboard.
“Sometimes life can feel like more than we can manage on our own,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. “Life’s problems can catch up with anyone at any time. If you are dealing with feelings of loneliness or anxiety, working through the loss of a loved one or any of life’s other struggles, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can help you find a path through. You can even call on behalf of someone else—you might need some support in order to help. Whatever reason you feel the need to call, that’s reason enough.”
North Carolina’s 988 service is operated by the REAL Crisis Center in Greenville, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing immediate and ongoing crisis services for anyone in need, free from commitment and at no charge.
This summer, with funds provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, NCDHHS offered materials promoting the 988 Lifeline to schools across the state. More than 400 institutions requested resources to share with students and staff.
In March, NCDHHS launched a real-time dispatch process (Mobile Crisis Dispatch) that allows 988 operators to send a mobile crisis team or connect the caller directly with a provider and other local resources. Mobile Crisis is a community or home-based response to a mental health or substance use crisis. This aims to streamline communication and has reduced wait times and helped people in crisis receive the appropriate level of care faster.
September is also Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Throughout the month, NCDHHS promotes suicide prevention awareness to remind everyone of the importance of recognizing warning signs and looking out for each other. Warning signs can be obvious, like openly discussing wanting to die or experiencing drastic mood changes. Others can be more subtle, like difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, increased drug or alcohol use, talking about being a burden or feeling unmotivated.
Calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is one of several options for help provided by NCDHHS, which is working diligently to ensure when people are in crisis, they have someone to call, somewhere to go, or someone to respond. Mobile crisis teams can come to you or meet you at a location of your choosing. Community crisis centers are safe places where you can get help from a licensed clinician without needing to go to the emergency room. Many crisis centers are open 24 hours a day and do not require appointments.
NCDHHS has developed a Crisis Communications Toolkit with free flyers, posters and other resources, including design templates for the garage signs, to promote crisis services. NCDHHS asks businesses, schools and other government agencies to use and post these materials in public places to help raise awareness of programs available to people experiencing a mental health crisis. Materials are provided in English and Spanish in a variety of formats.
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