The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched nationwide on July 16, 2022, offering a simple, three-digit number for anyone in crisis to call, text, or chat. In South Dakota, when individuals reach out to 988, they are connected with counselors at the Helpline Center. These counselors provide immediate support, assess the situation, and connect individuals to additional resources as needed. The Helpline Center also answers crisis calls transferred from local 911 centers across the state. The top three reasons South Dakotans reach out to 988 are suicide, anxiety, and relationship/family concerns. As of December 31, 2024, over 27,600 contacts have been made to the 988 lifeline in South Dakota. According to a data brief from Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), South Dakota’s call volume increased 171% since launch, making it the second highest call volume increase in the country.
Nationally, only 15% of U.S. adults are familiar with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. To better understand local awareness, the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) contracted a 988-perception study in September 2023, conducted by the Division of Behavioral Health. The study revealed that 42% of South Dakotans had heard of 988, and 80% of respondents indicated they would consider calling 988 if they or a loved one experienced suicidal thoughts or ideation. Later, in the fall of 2024, a second study was conducted to better understand South Dakotans’ associations between 988 and assistance with substance use. The results found that 24% of South Dakotans would contact 988 as a resource for help with substance use questions. The follow-up research indicated that participants had strong associations between 988 and mental health, but that there was room to grow 988 as a resource for substance use issues.
On February 25, SDAHO will host Janet Kittams, CEO of the Helpline Center, and Jordan Mounga, Program Manager for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services at DSS Division of Behavioral Health. They will discuss the crucial role of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in supporting mental health across the state. To register and learn more, click here.
For more resources and information on 988, visit the following:
- Helpline Center: helplinecenter.org – featuring an interactive dashboard with real-time 988 utilization data, including demographics such as age, geography, and crisis type/outcomes.
- “Notes To Self” Campaign: sdbehavioralhealth.gov
- South Dakota Suicide Prevention: sdsuicideprevention.org
