Get Involved
Mark your calendars: September 8th (9/8) is 988 Day. Join us in spreading awareness, reducing stigma, and making compassionate care accessible to anyone in need. You can help by promoting resources, using the #988Day toolkit, and encouraging open conversations.
What is 988 Day?
Day of Action
988 Day is a Day of Action held annually on 9/8. The goal of 988 Day is to raise awareness and positive buzz about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline through a variety of creative activities spearheaded by communities, organizations, and individuals.
2025 Theme
Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere. This theme conveys the heart of what 988 is all about – empathy, accessibility, and reliability. Our network of more than 15,000 counselors continue to help reduce barriers and stigma around seeking mental health support.
988 Day is About You
988 Day is about your creativity, engagement, and voice!! A successful day of action is based on everyone’s involvement and vision.
Build Engagement and Excitement
- Host a 988 awareness walk (30-60 minutes) at a local park or downtown area. Partner with 1-2 local businesses to provide water/snacks
- Organize chalk art activities* in public spaces: provide chalk and stencils for 988 messaging, mindfulness quotes, or hopeful messages
- Lead a themed fitness class (Zumba, yoga, or walking group) with a 10-minute mental health awareness segment featuring 988
- Hold a moment of silence at 9:88 AM (9:28 AM) on September 8th at your workplace, school, or faith community with a brief 988 announcement
- Host an open mic night (1-2 hours) focused on mental health stories, recovery, or hope. Provide 988 materials at registration.
- Create a Messages of HOPE wall and encourage passerbys in your community or school to share encouraging, mental health-themed notes on sticky notes or paper in a shared space like a library, school, gym, workplace, etc. Use prompts such as:
- “My message of HOPE to others is…”
- “Something that helped me find HOPE was…”
- “I’m glad I’m here for…
- Run a contest with clear categories: poster design, video creation, or sticker design. Set deadline for Friday before 988 Day
- Organize a rock painting event (2-3 hours) where participants create hope-themed rocks with 988 information to place around community areas like parks or other high-traffic areas.
- Post information (flyer or small postcard) about 988 Day and the 988 Lifeline on community message boards (commonly located in libraries, coffee shops, or community hubs to display information about upcoming local events)
- Create a 988 Day playlist (10-15 songs) on Spotify or SoundCloud with uplifting music. Include 988 info in the description and use #988Day when sharing
- Use trending formats to promote 988: Try “15 reasons to call 988” in 15 seconds, or “POV: You have 988 saved in your phone” videos
- Share or create your own downloadable coloring pages with 988 branding – post completed versions and encourage followers to print, color, and share their own
- Create 30-second videos showing yourself placing 988 materials at coffee shops, gyms, or libraries (with permission)
- Find and take photos/videos at existing 988 billboards, bus stops, or signage in your area and share with #988Day (can also double as a scavenger hunt)
- Send a direct message to 3-5 influencers you follow, asking them to post about 988 Day. Include sample text like “988 provides judgment-free support 24/7 – save it in your phone today.”
- Follow up once after 3-4 days if no response.
- Even one influencer sharing can reach hundreds or thousands of people
- Update your profile banner to include “988 Day – Sept 8” and post a story encouraging followers to do the same
- Design simple graphics using Canva templates: profile banners, Instagram story templates, or printable stickers
- Add 988 to your phone contacts and post a screenshot encouraging others to do the same
- Post daily countdown starting one week before (Sept 1-8) with a different 988 fact each day
- Cross-post your 988 Day content to one new platform you don’t usually use (choose from: LinkedIn, Nextdoor, TikTok, Discord, Reddit, BlueSky, Mastadon)
- Create a “988 Facts” series** with 5-7 posts throughout the week (e.g., “988 is available 24/7,” “988 has chat and text options”)
- Tailor your 988 message to specific communities you’re part of: veterans, parents, students, professionals, etc.
- Launch a photo challenge: Ask followers to find and photograph 988 messaging in their community (billboards, bus ads, etc.) and share with #988Day
- Share the 988 toolkit in 2-3 online communities you’re active in (Facebook groups, Discord servers, gaming communities)
- Coordinate with faith leaders to include a 2-3 minute 988 announcement during services on September 8th weekend
- Moment of Silence or Intentional Prayer
- Dedicate a moment during services to pray or reflect for those experiencing emotional pain or in need of help.
- Include a visual slide or verbal reminder: “Help is always available — call or text 988.”
- Faith & Mental Health Sermon Series or Guest Speaker
- Invite a mental health professional or a clergy member with lived experience to speak about mental wellness and faith.
- Tie into themes of hope, compassion, and seeking support.
- Set up an information table after services on September 8th with 988 materials, local mental health resources, and volunteers to answer questions
- Host a 988 Day event at your place of worship: prayer service, discussion group, or community meal focused on mental health and hope
- 988 Bookmark-Making Station
- Create bookmarks with 988 messaging and a faith-based affirmation (e.g., “You are not alone,” “God walks with you”).
- Hand out to congregants or include in bulletins.
- Faith Family Mental Health Pledge
- Encourage families to sign a simple pledge to support open conversations about mental health at home and share 988 info with others.
- Partner with Other Local Faith Communities
- Organize a joint event or social media campaign with neighboring churches, mosques, synagogues, or temples to show interfaith support for mental wellness.
- Request 988 Day proclamations from city council, county commissioners, or state officials by emailing 3-4 weeks before September 8th (use provided template).
- Provide draft proclamation text highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and 988 accessibility.
- Proclamations create official recognition and can be shared on social media and with local media for broader impact.
- Contact local media (radio, TV, newspapers) with press releases about 988 Day activities in your area by August 25th
- Add 988 Day information to your organization’s newsletter with a 100-word blurb and key facts
- Reach out to newsletter editors you subscribe to with a brief email suggesting 988 Day coverage (provide sample content from toolkit or create your own)
- Contact sports teams (professional, college, high school) via social media or email to request 988 Day shout-outs during games or on social media
- Meet with local business owners to discuss displaying 988 materials in lobbies, restrooms, or break rooms. Provide materials in professional folders
- Post 988 flyers in break rooms, bathrooms, or bulletin boards you pass daily
- Launch a student contest with 3 categories: poster design, 30-second video, or social media content. Announce winners on Friday, September 6th with small prizes
- Host a bracelet-making session during lunch or after school where students create 988-themed friendship bracelets to share with peers
- Coordinate a school-wide color day where students and staff wear teal and purple on September 8th. Send announcement to parents/guardians in advance
- Organize window/sidewalk decoration using washable paint or chalk. Assign different classes or grades specific areas to decorate.
- Distribute 988 stickers to students during lunch, at school events, or through teachers or counselors for students to personalize notebooks/laptops.
- 988 Classroom Challenge
- Provide teachers with a short 5–10 minute 988 mini-lesson or video to share during advisory/homeroom.
- Include a discussion question like: “How can we support a friend going through a hard time?”
- “Did You Know?” Morning Announcements
- Share daily facts or myths about mental health and the 988 Lifeline during the week of Sept 3–6.
- Allow student leaders to read them to increase engagement.
- 988 Awareness Door Decorating Contest
- Let homerooms or clubs decorate classroom doors with 988 info and supportive messages.
- Judges can select a winner based on creativity, impact, and inclusion.
- Peer-to-Peer Pledge Board
- Encourage students to take a mental health ally pledge and sign their name to a large display.
- Sample pledge: “I will listen without judgment. I will ask for help when I need it.”
Download the Toolkit
Our Toolkit is a resource meant to support, educate, and help spread awareness about 988 Day. It includes downloadable materials, images, and information to amplify our message of “Compassionate help. Anytime. Anywhere.”
