St. Joseph’s Health Highlights Importance of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline as Mental Health Needs Continue to Grow

 

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As mental health needs continue to rise across New York State, St. Joseph’s Health is recognizing the importance of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline as a critical resource for individuals experiencing emotional distress, substance use concerns or suicidal crisis. Hospital leaders are using the opportunity to raise awareness of the free, confidential service and encourage community members to familiarize themselves with the lifesaving resource before a crisis occurs.

 

Launched nationally in 2022, 988 provides free, confidential access to trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Individuals can call, text or chat 988 when they or someone they know is experiencing a mental health, substance use or emotional crisis. The service connects callers with trained professionals who can provide support, de-escalation, safety planning and referrals to local resources.

 

“Just as people know to call 911 during a medical emergency, we want our staff, patients and community members to know that 988 is available to help when someone is experiencing a mental health concern,” said Meredith Price, President of St. Joseph’s Health Hospital. “As a provider of both community-based behavioral health services and emergency psychiatric care through our Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) and Mobile Crisis team, St. Joseph’s Health understands how important it is for people to get connected to the right level of support at the right time. 988 serves as a critical front door to care and can help individuals access lifesaving resources before a crisis worsens.”

 

New York’s 988 network operates through 14 contact centers serving all 62 counties. According to the New York State Office of Mental Health, it has experienced steadily increasing demand since its launch. Between May 2023 and May 2024 alone, the state’s 988 system received nearly 430,000 calls, texts and chats. In Onondaga County, 988 crisis counselors were able to provide 1,519 consultations for ‘person in crisis’ callers between April 2025 and July 2026, demonstrating both the need for and growing awareness of crisis intervention services.

 

While many people who contact 988 can be safely supported through telephonic counseling, safety planning and referrals, some individuals may require a higher level of intervention. In those situations, 988 counselors connect callers with local crisis resources, including mobile crisis teams and emergency behavioral health services. New York State reports that approximately 80 percent of 988 contacts are resolved through conversations with trained counselors, helping many individuals receive assistance before a crisis escalates.

 

“Mental health crises can be frightening and overwhelming, both for those experiencing them and for the loved ones trying to help,” said Lauren Giannetti, Director of CPEP at St. Joseph’s Health. “988 gives people a simple, easy-to-remember number they can call or text to reach trained professionals who are always available to offer to support and trained in crisis response. When additional care is needed, resources such as mobile crisis teams and CPEP are available to provide assessment, stabilization and a pathway to ongoing treatment. The more people know about 988, the more lives we can reach.”

 

Local mental health leaders continue to emphasize that 988 is not only for individuals considering suicide. The service is available to anyone experiencing emotional distress, a mental health concern, a substance use crisis or concern for a loved one who may be struggling. In addition to providing immediate support, counselors can help connect callers with ongoing community resources and behavioral health services.

 

“At St. Joseph’s Health, we recognize that behavioral health is every bit as important as physical health,” Price said. “By increasing awareness of 988, we hope more individuals and families will seek help early, before a crisis becomes an emergency. No one should feel they must face a mental health challenge alone.”