¡Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en Español!

Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss

Our crisis contact centers offers many services for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, including veterans.

988 and Videophone

SERVICE UPDATE: The 988 Videophone service will be undergoing scheduled maintenance from 6:30-7:30 AM EST on July 16, 17, and 18. During these times, the service will be temporarily unavailable. If you need support during this window, you can still reach a skilled, compassionate counselor by texting 988 or using the chat link at the top of this page.

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You can reach out to 988 Videophone by calling 988 with a VP number. Learn more about how to get your own Videophone number with our information below. If you encounter any issues accessing support, please Contact Us.

How to Take Care of Yourself

If you’re struggling, you can videophone, call, text, or chat online with the 988 Lifeline. We’re available 24/7 and confidential. There are caring counselors available to listen and support you without judgment. When contacting the 988 Lifeline, there is no need to reveal your condition unless you choose to. The counselor will be able to support you either way.

Make a safety plan.

Creating a safety plan can include listing your coping strategies, identifying the people in your life that may support you through a crisis, and more. Have a step-by-step plan ready for if/when you feel depressed, suicidal, or in crisis, so you can start at step one and continue through the steps until you feel safe.

Connect with a 988 Counselor 24/7

You can connect with a 988 counselor if you are in need of support by:

  • 988 Videophone – Read the terms of service.
  • Online chat – Chat with 988.
  • 988 Text – Send any message to 988 to start a text conversation.
  • For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

If you’re having trouble accessing the 988 Videophone, you can Contact Us to share the technical challenges you’re experiencing so we can get things fixed.

Veterans or Service Members

If you are a Veteran or service member with hearing loss or are concerned about someone who is, there are several ways to contact the Veterans Crisis Line:

  • Text with a Veterans Crisis Line responder – Send a text message to 838255
  • Online chat with a Veterans Crisis Line responder: Chat with the VCL 

How To Get Your Own Videophone

To get a videophone, you typically need to sign up with a Video Relay Service (VRS) provider, which will provide you with a dedicated videophone device or app that allows you to connect with a sign language interpreter to communicate with hearing individuals over the phone; you can usually apply for a videophone through their website or by contacting their customer service directly.

Key points about getting a videophone:

Who qualifies:

  • Primarily people who are deaf or Hard of Hearing and primarily use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate.

VRS provider:

  • You need to choose a VRS provider that is Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certified.

Application process:

  • Contact the VRS provider to discuss your needs and go through the application process.

Device options:

  • Some providers offer dedicated videophone devices or apps that can be used on your computer or mobile phone

For additional information on VRS Providers, visit the FCC.