Effective July 16, 2022, Marylanders now have a new way to connect to local behavioral health crisis services. 

Calling 988 will connect callers directly to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline which encompasses all behavioral crisis services, including all mental health and substance use challenges (problems with drug and alcohol use).

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline replaces the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) and Maryland’s helpline (211, press 1) AND expands services to cover all behavioral health crisis services. Both numbers will remain operational through the transitional period and beyond to ensure no resident is left without crisis support.