10/03/2022
On July 16, 2022, the Veterans Crisis Line transitioned to a new number, Dial 988 then Press 1.
Signed into law in 2020, the National Su***de Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline. All telephone service providers in the U.S. were required to activate the number by July 16, 2022; many providers chose to implement the service sooner.
VA administers the Veterans Crisis Line through the Lifeline’s national network. Because of VA’s partnership with the Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line is affected by this transition to a new number.
Veterans can now use this new option by dialing 988 then pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the current phone number 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, by text (838255), and through chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat).
VA is leading a comprehensive communications initiative to inform our stakeholders about Dial 988 then Press 1. An outreach toolkit is available to inform Veterans and their caregivers, Veterans supporters, media, and external partner organizations. External-facing FAQs are available at VeteransCrisisLine.net. Overall information about 988 can be found on the Federal Communications Commission's website.
With the launch of this new three-digit number, I hope Veterans in crisis can easily connect with care and support during their time of need.
