The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has begun routing cell phone calls based on the caller's approximate location rather than area code. This process, known as georouting, was initiated last week with two major U.S. wireless carriers that together account for about half of all wireless calls to 988. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Vibrant Emotional Health have collaborated with major U.S. cell phone carriers for over a year to improve call routing.

"The launch of 988 georouting marks a significant leap forward in our nation’s crisis response system," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "With georouting in place, callers will be connected to 988 crisis contact centers closer to where they are, which will help us to more quickly connect people to local services and resources when they need additional on-the-ground support."

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the FCC will vote on final rules to codify georouting at its October 17 Open Meeting. If adopted, these rules would require all U.S. wireless carriers to implement georouting within specific timelines: 30 days after the rule's effective date for nationwide providers and 24 months for smaller providers.

"In times of crisis, every minute matters—especially when seeking help for yourself or a loved one in need of mental health support," said FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel. "There’s a real benefit to connecting with resources available in your own backyard and speaking with those within your own community."

Since its launch in July 2022, trained counselors at the 988 Lifeline have answered over ten million calls, texts, and chats from individuals seeking help with suicidal thoughts or mental health crises. HHS Assistant Secretary Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon emphasized the importance of connecting callers to local centers: "Connecting callers to local centers that can share information about their community’s services and resources helps to elevate that quality of care."

More than 200 contact centers across the country provide support through the 988 Lifeline network using georouting technology. Unlike geolocation, which provides precise locations, georouting connects callers based on proximity while maintaining their location privacy.

The Biden-Harris Administration has invested nearly $1.5 billion into strengthening the 988 Lifeline as part of its comprehensive strategy addressing mental health and substance use crises.

SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported serious thoughts of suicide among adults and adolescents remain significant issues in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 49,000 deaths by suicide in the U.S. in 2022.

For assistance or more information on mental health support, visit FindSupport.gov or call/text/chat at 988lifeline.org.