Who runs the suicide hotline?

In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is administered by the nonprofit Vibrant Emotional Health under a federal contract with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Calls, texts, and chats are answered by a nationwide network of local, state, and tribal crisis centers. Specialized lines—such as the Veterans Crisis Line—are operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In other countries, national suicide helplines are run by different organizations designated by their governments or leading nonprofits.

United States: How 988 is operated

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, launched nationally in July 2022, is a public–private system. The federal government funds and oversees it, and Vibrant Emotional Health administers the service and digital infrastructure. Day-to-day counseling is delivered by more than 200 accredited crisis centers across the country that take calls, texts, and chats from people in distress or concerned about someone else.

Governance and funding

SAMHSA provides federal funding and program oversight, while states and territories supplement operations (some via 988 telecom fees and state grants). Vibrant Emotional Health manages the centralized routing platform and quality standards, while local centers—often nonprofits or health systems—provide the human response and local referrals. This hybrid model is designed to connect people quickly to trained counselors who also understand local resources.

Specialized options within 988

In addition to the main line, 988 offers dedicated pathways tailored to specific communities and needs. These options route callers to counselors with specialized training or to agencies responsible for those populations.

• Veterans Crisis Line (Press 1): Operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; serves veterans, service members, and their families.
• Spanish Language network (Press 2): Routes to Spanish-speaking counselors within the 988 network.
• LGBTQI+ option (Press 3): Connects to counselors trained to support LGBTQI+ people; implemented by Vibrant in partnership with specialized providers.
• Text and chat: Managed through Vibrant’s national platform and answered by network centers trained for digital crisis counseling.
• Tribal- and state-specific options: Some regions offer dedicated services, such as Native- and tribal-focused lifelines operated by indigenous health organizations in partnership with 988.

Together, these pathways increase cultural competence and ensure people can reach responders who understand their context and can provide appropriate referrals.

Outside the U.S.: Who operates national helplines

Responsibility for suicide hotlines varies by country. Most nations designate a lead nonprofit or public health organization to run a 24/7 line, often funded or endorsed by the national government. Below are examples of who operates well-known national services:

• Canada: 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is operated nationally by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), funded by the Government of Canada, with calls/texts answered by a network of local partners.
• United Kingdom & Ireland: Samaritans operates the 24/7 helpline at 116 123 across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
• Australia: Lifeline (13 11 14) is run by Lifeline Australia, a national charity, with government support.
• New Zealand: Need to Talk? (1737) is operated by Whakarongorau Aotearoa | New Zealand Telehealth Services for the Ministry of Health.
• European Union (varies by country): The 116 123 number is reserved across the EU for emotional support and is operated by designated national organizations (e.g., Samaritans-affiliated groups or national charities).

These operators differ in structure, but they share the core mission: free, confidential, 24/7 access to trained counselors who can de-escalate crises and connect people to local care.

Why this structure matters

Suicidal crises are often local and personal, but the need for access is national. A federally (or nationally) supported, locally delivered model helps ensure rapid response, cultural and linguistic competence, and seamless referrals to community services, while maintaining consistent quality standards and 24/7 availability.

If you need help now

If you are in the United States, call or text 988, or chat via 988lifeline.org. Veterans and service members can call 988 and press 1; Spanish speakers can press 2; LGBTQI+ callers can press 3. If you are in Canada, call or text 9-8-8. In the UK or Ireland, call Samaritans at 116 123. In Australia, call Lifeline at 13 11 14. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number (e.g., 911 in the U.S., 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia) right away.

Summary

In the U.S., the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is administered by Vibrant Emotional Health under contract with SAMHSA (HHS) and answered by a nationwide network of local crisis centers; the Veterans Crisis Line is operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Other countries appoint their own national operators—such as CAMH in Canada and Samaritans in the UK—to provide 24/7, confidential support.

Who is the CEO of suicide prevention?

Nieves Murray
Nieves Murray is the CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia and has spent over 35 years in leadership roles across aged care, finance, and human services. Recognised as one of Australia’s 100 Most Influential Women, she is a champion of systems thinking, community voice, and inclusive policy.

Who is responsible for 988?

On January 1, 2005, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline launched with a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant), a nonprofit, affiliate of Mental Health America based in New York City and one of the largest call centers …

Does 1 800 273 8255 still work?

On July 16, 2022 the ten-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), was converted to an easy to remember three-digit number, 988. Even though this change happened to expand service and strengthen access to mental health care to those in need, the original number will remain in service.

Who created the suicide prevention hotline?

Bernard Mayes
In the United States, the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center was founded in 1958 and was the first in the country to provide a 24-hour suicide prevention crisis line and use community volunteers in providing hotline service. Bernard Mayes started the San Francisco Suicide Prevention with a hotline named “Call Bruce” …