Know the difference 988 & 911
September is National Recovery Month, a time to raise awareness about recovery, celebrate the strength of individuals on their recovery journey, and remind our communities that support and resources are available.
An important part of supporting recovery and behavioral health is knowing where to turn when help is needed. While both 988 and 911 provide critical support, they serve different purposes.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to support individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Trained counselors are available to provide emotional and mental health support, crisis intervention, and de-escalation. Individuals can also be connected to local mental health and substance use treatment services for continued care and support.
911 should be used for situations requiring immediate physical intervention, including medical emergencies, fires, crimes in progress, or urgent threats to life or safety. Depending on the emergency, police, fire, or EMS may be dispatched.
This National Recovery Month, help us spread awareness by learning and sharing the difference between 988 and 911. Knowing which resource to contact can help connect someone with the appropriate response, care, and support when they need it most.