988 Lifeline offers confidential support during Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma and sharing mental health resources. One of those resources is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Sept. 8 marked 988 Day, a national day of action led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“This year’s theme is 988 reasons you are enough. It is a reminder that people that struggle for any reason, they can reach out for support, big or small,” Rocio Rivas, Cook County youth coordinator, told WTIP.

The 988 Minnesota Lifeline is a free, confidential resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anyone seeking emotional or mental health support. People can call or text 988 or chat online at 988Lifeline.org.

People who prefer support in Spanish can call 988 and press 2 or text “Ayuda” to connect with a Spanish-speaking 988 specialist. Specialists can also connect callers with interpreters in more than 200 languages.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the lifeline received 83,000 calls during the first half of 2026.

“Anyone can contact 988 for themself or for somebody else. This is really important. If you feel that you have a friend or somebody that needs help and you don’t know how to help them, you can reach out, and they will give you the best tips and the best way to help your friend,” Rivas said.

For residents of a small community such as Cook County, the anonymity of the lifeline can be particularly valuable. Some people may not feel comfortable seeking in-person services from people they know in the community, while others living in rural areas may have difficulty regularly accessing in-person support.

“It’s a nonjudgmental and confidential line here for us,” Rivas said.

WTIP spoke with Rivas about the lifeline and its value. Audio of that conversation is available below.

Josh Hinke September 14, 2026