We believe that the focus of our supporting services is grounded in how each person experiences and accesses care.
The goal of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is to provide a service that is culturally competent and accessible, where people can communicate in their preferred language without a dominant language negatively defining their communication or sense of belonging, for all people seeking support. Our approach is driven by the vision that all people reaching out to the 988 Lifeline receive services that are thoughtful, competent, and affirming no matter your location, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or other intersectional identities. The 988 Lifeline has specific contact centers for Spanish speakers and for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. The 988 Lifeline offers call translation services in more than 240 languages to enhance accessibility for people with other language needs.
We are continually working to expand cultural competency and pathways for access to 988 Lifeline services. The 988 Lifeline team conducts ongoing evaluation of service delivery, community/committee feedback, and quality monitoring centered on the needs of all users to help us achieve our goals of equitable service to all.