# 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`
- **Domain:** emergency
- **Category:** wrong_emergency_number
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## 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.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **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.** (90% success)
   ```
   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.
   ```
2. **Save both numbers and know the distinction in advance: 988 for emotional/crisis support, 911 for physical emergencies.** (85% success)
   ```
   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.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Default to 911 for a mental-health or suicidal crisis that is not an immediate physical emergency** — 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. (50% fail)
- **Assume 988 replaces 911 for all emergencies** — 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. (40% fail)