When you text 988, you’ll receive an automated reply within seconds that walks you through a few short prompts before connecting you with a live crisis counselor. The entire process is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Here’s what to expect from start to finish.
The First Few Messages Are Automated
Your first text to 988 can say anything. Even a single word like “hello” or “help” will trigger the system. Within moments, you’ll get an automated response with options: you can connect with the main 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in English, reach Spanish-speaking counselors by texting AYUDA, or text the Veterans Crisis Line directly at 838255.
If none of those specialized options apply to you, you reply NEXT to move through the prompts. The system will then ask you a few short questions designed to assess what kind of support you need. These aren’t diagnostic questions or screening tests. They help the counselor who eventually picks up your conversation understand your situation before the first real exchange, so you don’t have to repeat yourself as much.
How You Get Matched With a Counselor
While you answer the automated prompts, the system is routing your text to a local crisis center. The FCC now requires wireless carriers to transmit location data so that texts to 988 reach the closest crisis center based on your general geographic area, not just your phone’s area code. This matters because a local counselor is more likely to know the mental health resources available near you.
Once a counselor becomes available, they join the conversation and introduce themselves. Wait times vary depending on demand and time of day. During high-volume periods you may wait several minutes, but the automated prompts keep the process moving so the counselor already has context when they connect.
What the Conversation Looks Like
The conversation with your counselor happens entirely through text, at whatever pace feels comfortable. You don’t need to type fast or use complete sentences. Counselors are trained to work at your speed.
A typical session follows a natural arc. The counselor will start by understanding what’s going on and what prompted you to reach out. They’ll ask open-ended questions, not just yes-or-no checklists. If you’re in crisis, they’ll work with you to assess your immediate safety. If you’re dealing with emotional distress that isn’t an emergency, the conversation may focus more on coping strategies and connecting you with ongoing support.
Crisis centers are required to train all counseling staff on safety assessment, working with people at imminent risk, and handling third-party contacts (someone texting on behalf of a friend or family member). No one who answers your text is untrained. Volunteers and staff who haven’t completed crisis training are explicitly prohibited from handling conversations.
You Control the Conversation
You can share as much or as little as you want. You don’t have to give your name, location, or any identifying information unless you choose to. The counselor won’t pressure you to disclose details you’re not ready to share.
You can also end the conversation at any time by simply stopping your replies or saying you’d like to stop. There’s no commitment to stay for a certain length of time. Most text conversations last roughly 15 to 45 minutes, but there’s no hard cutoff.
What Happens After the Conversation
Before wrapping up, your counselor will typically suggest next steps. This might include local mental health services, support groups, or a safety plan you can reference later. The goal is to make sure you leave the conversation with something concrete, not just a general sense of reassurance.
You can text 988 again whenever you need to. There’s no limit on how many times you can use the service, and you don’t need to reference a previous conversation. Each session starts fresh.
Language and Accessibility
Text-based 988 support is currently available in English and Spanish. For Spanish, you text AYUDA when prompted. Veterans and active-duty service members have a dedicated text line at 838255, staffed by counselors trained in military-specific issues.
The text option exists specifically for people who can’t or prefer not to make a voice call. That includes people in situations where speaking out loud isn’t safe or private, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and anyone who simply finds texting less intimidating than talking on the phone. If you’d rather call or chat online, 988 supports both of those options too. Calling 988 connects you by voice, and 988lifeline.org offers a browser-based chat.
Privacy and Safety
Your texts to 988 are confidential. Counselors follow the same privacy standards as other mental health professionals. The one exception is imminent danger: if a counselor believes you or someone else is in immediate life-threatening danger and you’re unable to keep yourself safe, they may coordinate with emergency services. This is rare and typically involves a conversation with you first, not a surprise dispatch.
Your text history with 988 will appear in your phone’s messaging app like any other text thread. If privacy on your device is a concern, you can delete the conversation from your phone after it ends.