Best Practices
The Lifeline provides mental health professionals and crisis centers in the Lifeline network with innovative best practices and resources in the field of suicide prevention and mental health.
Research and Evaluation
Since 2001, the 988 Lifeline has been evaluating and strengthening crisis centers’ efforts through an iterative process. In recent years, the 988 Lifeline has also partnered with external researchers on analyses of extant data. The 988’s high service utilization and abundance of analyzable data provides opportunities for researchers to further evaluate the impact of the 988 Lifeline, as well examine other research questions initiated by investigators.
The 988 Lifeline is often approached by researchers to collaborate on new research and evaluation projects.The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline welcomes opportunities to collaborate on research projects with the goal of preventing suicides and mental health crises, and providing a pathway to well-being.
More information, including the application for access to 988 RAD, can be found here.
Resources and Publications
Suicide Safety Policy
Follow Up
Research indicates that follow-up with hotline callers and people recently discharged from an emergency department (ED) or inpatient setting has positive results for both consumers and providers of mental health services. Given that suicide risk is highest one week after discharge from an inpatient setting, the 24/7 availability of crisis centers’ services are invaluable. For medium to high risk callers, studies show that centers help to minimize ideation, hopelessness, and psychological pain. Further, crisis center follow-up before a service appointment is associated with improved motivation, a reduction in barriers to accessing services, improved adherence to medication, reduced symptoms of depression and higher attendance rates. Follow-up by crisis centers is also cost effective; it reduces utilization of emergency services and offers diversion to more appropriate services for patients who do not require admission to the hospital.
In a 2015 review of crisis center practices, of 134 centers sampled, 91% (122) provided some form of follow-up service. Programs ranged from follow-up services for frequent callers, monthly check-ins for high risk callers, ED/inpatient discharges, high risk callers, and third party calls.
More Publications
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Download Logos and Ribbons
Share the 988 Lifeline logo and prevention ribbons to raise awareness for suicide prevention.
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