Frequently Asked Questions
The 988 helpline provides immediate emotional and mental health support to Louisiana residents. The helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Anyone who contacts 988 in Louisiana will be immediately connected to a 988 specialist who will listen, provide support and connect you with local resources. The helpline is free, confidential and available 24/7.
The majority of people receive the help they need, right in the moment.
When you call:
You’ll hear a greeting message telling you that you’ve reached 988.
You will be asked if you want to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line, if you prefer to speak to a 988 specialist who focuses on helping LGBTQ+ youth under 25, or if you prefer Spanish. This is the only prompt you’ll hear.
You’ll be quickly connected to a 988 specialist.
Your 988 specialist will listen and support you through whatever you’re dealing with.
Your 988 specialist can also connect you to local resources and additional support.
When you text:
You’ll be quickly connected to a 988 specialist.
Your 988 specialist will listen and support you through whatever you’re dealing with.
Your 988 specialist can also connect you to local resources and additional support.
When you chat:
You’ll fill out a pre-chat survey to help the 988 specialist you’ll connect to know what you’re dealing with.
If there is a wait to chat with a 988 specialist, a wait-time message will appear.
You’ll be quickly connected to a 988 specialist.
Your 988 specialist will listen and support you through whatever you’re dealing with.
Your 988 specialist can also connect you to local resources and additional support.
You can contact 988 for help with all types of problems. Whether you had a tough day, are overwhelmed, or are having thoughts of suicide, we can help.
Some things people call about include stress, feeling overwhelmed, concerns about alcohol or drug use, figuring out your identity, feeling depressed, help dealing with mental and physical illness, help talking through money concerns, thoughts of suicide, and more.
You can reach out for yourself or for others you’re concerned about.
Yes, the helpline works. Numerous studies have shown that most callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to a 988 specialist. And most receive the help they need, right there on the call, and do not require any other services in that moment.
No. You can contact 988 for help with all types of problems. Whether you had a tough day, are overwhelmed, or are having thoughts of suicide, our 988 specialists are here to listen and provide support through many types of emotional and mental health issues.
988 specialists are experts in providing the immediate support that people need, right in the moment. Most people do not require any additional services. The helpline will only contact 911 if someone’s life is in immediate danger (for example, if someone has actively begun a suicide attempt when they reach out). This is rare. Fewer than 2% of helpline calls require connection to emergency services like 911.
988 specialists work to provide support and assistance for people at risk in the least restrictive setting possible. In fact, most people are able to get the relief or resources they need during the conversation, and do not require any additional immediate intervention.
988 provides immediate emotional and mental health support. You can contact 988 about:
Tough days, stress, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, loneliness, concerns about alcohol or drug use, relationships, figuring out your identity, feeling depressed, help coping with mental and physical illness, postpartum depression, help talking through money concerns, thoughts of suicide, concerns about a loved one, just needing someone to talk to, and more.
Call 911 if you need EMS, fire and/or police dispatched to your location.
Whether you call 988 or 911, call takers will help you get connected to the right place based on what you need.
No. 988 is safe and confidential and will not share your information.
The helpline will only contact 911 if someone’s life is in immediate danger. This is rare. Fewer than 1% of calls involve 911 without a caller’s permission.
Absolutely.
- For Spanish, call 988 and press 2.
- For other languages, 988 specialists can patch in interpreters to help.
Yes. TTY users may use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. We also offer services through chat and text.
Yes. When you call 988, press 1 to access 988 specialists who focus on serving military members, veterans and their loved ones.
Military and veteran-specific chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat) and text (838255) are also available.
Absolutely. If you prefer to speak to a 988 specialist who focuses on helping LGBTQ+ youth under 25, call 988, then press 3
When you reach out to 988 through text or online chat, you will also have the option to connect with a 988 specialist who focuses on LGBTQ+ communities.
No, you do not need insurance to contact 988. The service is free.
If you need support connecting to other mental health or substance use services in the community, contact 988 and we can help you find a provider who can work with you.
No, you do not need any identification or documentation to contact 988.
No. The 988 helpline only knows your phone number if you call/text, or your IP address if you use chat.
Beyond that, the helpline will not know who you are or where you are located.
When you call 988, you will be connected to your nearest local call center based on your phone’s area code.
If you have an out-of-state phone number, you may be routed to a call center outside of the local region. If this happens, you can ask to be transferred to a call center in your local area. Regardless, all call centers provide free, confidential, supportive counseling.
No, you will never chat with a bot when you call, text or chat online with 988. You will always connect with another human who’s ready to help.