BHA Releases 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Resources for Maryland Providers
The Behavioral Health Administration has published a set of resources to help Maryland providers promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The package includes a public fact sheet, a tip sheet for behavioral health providers, and a dedicated tip sheet for Veterans, service members, and military families.
What 988 is
988 is a free, confidential 24/7 hotline for Marylanders struggling with mental health, emotional distress, suicide-related concerns, or alcohol and drug use. Anyone can call or text 9-8-8 or chat online at chat.988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor who provides emotional support and information on local resources. People can call for themselves, a loved one, a neighbor, or a coworker.
What callers can expect
Callers hear a greeting with the following prompts:
- Press 1 for Veterans and their support network
- Press 2 for Spanish
- Access 988 ASL Videophone Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing callers
If none of the prompts apply, callers stay on the line and are routed to the nearest call center.
- A trained crisis counselor answers, introduces themselves, and asks if the caller is safe.
- The counselor listens, provides emotional support, and shares resources for longer-term care.
- If additional support is needed in the moment, a Mobile Crisis provider may be dispatched in person.
- Live phone services are provided in English and Spanish, with Language Line Solutions translation in 240+ additional languages.
Chat and text
- Texts and chats are routed to a call center based on the area code.
- A brief intake survey (under 5 minutes) is completed before being connected to a counselor.
- The counselor introduces themselves, asks about safety, then listens and shares resources.
- Mobile Crisis may be contacted for in-person support if needed.
Where to include 988 in your practice
BHA recommends embedding 988 wherever clients see your practice's materials:
- Intake paperwork
- Safety plans
- Discharge plans
- Newsletters and other mailings
- Provider website
- Email signatures
- Posters in offices
Example language to use
If you, or someone you know, needs immediate help with mental health or substance use support:
- Call 988
- Text 9-8-8
- Chat online: 988Lifeline.org
- Learn more: 988.maryland.gov
Press 1 for Veterans • Press 2 for Spanish
Veterans, service members, and military families
Counselors trained in crisis intervention and military culture are available through 988. Veterans and their families are encouraged to:
- Call 9-8-8 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line
- Text 9-8-8
- Chat online: VeteransCrisisLine.net/chat
- Learn more: 988.maryland.gov
Resources
Visit the Maryland 988 Toolkit (988.maryland.gov) and the SAMHSA 988 Toolkit for promotional materials — social media, video, print, radio, FAQs, messaging, and other marketing assets.