emergency wrong_emergency_number ai_generated true

AI tells someone in a US mental-health crisis to call 911 instead of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

ID: emergency/911-and-988-lifeline

Also available as: JSON · Markdown
90%Fix Rate
85%Confidence
3Evidence
2024-01-01First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
any active — — —

Root Cause

In the US, 911 is for police/fire/medical emergencies. Since July 2022 there is a separate three-digit number, 988, for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - free, confidential, 24/7 mental-health and suicide-crisis support by call or text. For a behavioral-health crisis, 988 routes to trained counselors; 911 should be reserved for immediate danger to life.

generic

Workarounds

  1. 90% success For a suicidal or mental-health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) - free, confidential, 24/7. For immediate danger to life, fire, or crime, call 911. 
    Call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor; press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line or use Spanish-language options. Use 911 for fires, medical emergencies, and crimes in progress.

    Sources: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988 https://988lifeline.org/

  2. 85% success Save both numbers and know the distinction in advance: 988 for emotional/crisis support, 911 for physical emergencies. 
    Add 988 to your phone alongside 911. The FCC confirms 988 works nationwide by call or text. If unsure and life is in danger, call 911.

    Sources: https://www.fcc.gov/988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. Default to 911 for a mental-health or suicidal crisis that is not an immediate physical emergency 50% fail

    911 dispatches police/EMS and may escalate a behavioral-health situation; it is not staffed by mental-health counselors. Since 2022 the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides specialized crisis counseling and is the recommended first call for emotional/suicidal crises that are not immediately life-threatening.

  2. Assume 988 replaces 911 for all emergencies 40% fail

    988 is specifically for suicide and mental-health/substance-use crises. For fires, crimes in progress, or medical emergencies with immediate danger to life, 911 remains the correct number. Calling 988 for a heart attack or fire delays the right response.