1 in 5 U . S . adults will experience a mental illness , with 1 in 20 experiencing a serious mental illness . 988 is essential to the welfare of the mental health crisis care continuum , to public safety , and public health at large .

988 Today and What ’ s Coming Next

1 in 5 U . S . adults will experience a mental illness , with 1 in 20 experiencing a serious mental illness . 988 is essential to the welfare of the mental health crisis care continuum , to public safety , and public health at large .

Guest OpEd by Todd Miller , SVP , Rave Mobile Safety

The 988 suicide and crisis ho- tline went live on July 16 , two years after the U . S . Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 .

The launch of the new 988 line is considered a crucial step that will help to provide better men- tal health support on a national level .

While this is an incredibly pos- itive step in support of mental health , there is a recognition that many people will continue to dial 911 for mental health emer- gencies . And the opposite is also true — individuals that should be calling 911 for urgent and