May is Mental Health Month

What is 988?

988 is the nationwide number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can call or text 988 if you’re feeling overwhelmed, in emotional distress, thinking about suicide, or need support with mental health or substance use. You can reach out for yourself or for someone else. The service is free, private, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you call or text 988, you will be connected to trained counselors who can listen, support you, and help you find the right resources.

Calls are answered in English and Spanish.

988 and the Autistic Community

Autistic people are more likely than the general population to experience suicidal thoughts and mental health crises. The Autism Society recognizes this and is working to make crisis support more accessible and affirming for Autistic people.

The Autism Society formed a Suicide Prevention Task Force to better support Autistic individuals. They partnered with Florida Atlantic University to collect feedback from Autistic adults about their experiences with crisis hotlines. This information helps improve training for the people who answer 988 calls and texts.

The Autism Society also works with other organizations like NAMI, The Arc, and Autistic advocates—like Russell Lehmann—to make sure the 988 Lifeline meets the needs of our community.

Need Support? You are not alone. Call or text 988 anytime.

For more information and mental health resources, visit Autism Society’s website.

https://autismsociety.org/an-overview-of-the-988-number-for-national-suicide-prevention-lifeline/

For a checklist that gives you insight on before during and after you call

herre’s a link to a great visual checklist:

https://autismsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/988_Autism_Society_Checklist.pdf