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About 988

Oregon 988 Dashboard

Welcome

Welcome to the Oregon 988 Dashboard. This resource details use of the 988 Lifeline in Oregon from July 2022 to the date of last refresh, including:
  • Total monthly contacts made by Oregonians by phone, text and chat
  • Duration of typical 988 conversation
  • Who is calling 988? 
  • What issues are brought up during the contact? What are the outcomes? 
  • What's the answer rate for all contacts? Is Oregon meeting national standards to respond to all contacts?
Please note: the data in this dashboard is continually evolving as improvements in collection and processing are made. The dashboard is updated monthly to reflect the progression of 988 and services provided.

Related data dashboards

For more information about suicide prevention and health statistics in Oregon, see the Suicide-Related Public Health Data Dashboard.

Data refresh schedule

Data is updated monthly by the 25th of the month  

Data sources

Lines for Life and Northwest Human Services call center and answer rate data

Accessibility/Digital Accessibility

OHA welcomes all data consumers. This dashboard will be made available in an accessible alternative format upon request. You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille or a format you prefer free of charge. Please send requests or questions to oregon988.feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Questions? We want your input. Please email us at Oregon988.Feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov .


​OHA's strategic goal is to eliminate health inequities in Oregon by 2030. OHA's definition of health equity is:

Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.

Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including Tribal governments, to address:

  • The equitable distribution or redistribution of resources and power; and
  • Recognizing, reconciling and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.

The Behavioral Health Division is committed to addressing these disparities by:

  • Intentional and ongoing engagement with communities most impacted by health inequities.
  • Increasing statewide behavioral health housing capacity that aims to meet the unique and unmet needs of minoritized cultural communities.
  • Addressing issues within the current system for disbursing funding by prioritizing smaller, culturally, and linguistically diverse organizations when funding opportunities are available.
  • Collaboration with community partners to broaden our awareness and strengthen our ability to address health injustices throughout the state.

OHA's initiatives will be informed by and aligned with these priorities, ensuring that we effectively bridge gaps in service provision and promote equitable access to behavioral health housing services. OHA is committed to a holistic approach that not only expands care but also enhances the quality of care for all Oregonians, particularly those from communities most impacted by health inequities. 

​Contacts — defined as the sum of all calls, texts and chats—shown in this report exclude all hang up, silent and prank calls. Additionally, any calls less than a minute in duration are excluded from analysis.

Data in this dashboard only includes contacts to Oregon 988 centers. In addition to 988, Oregon counties independently operate local crisis lifelines which are an integral and valuable part of Oregon's behavioral health crisis system. Currently only data from 988 is available for this dashboard, but OHA may add additional information over time.

Oregon Health Authority suppresses any values fewer than 10 (shown as <10) to protect confidentiality.

Lines for Life (LFL) 

  • Statewide call center serving 34 counties
  • Providing services to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline since 2005
  • Accepts contacts by call, text or chat

Northwest Human Services (NWHS) ​

  • Regional call center serving Marion and Polk counties
  • Providing service to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline since 2018
  • NWHS accepts calls and added text or chat (text and chat service began January 2025)​

Definitions

  • Contact: any phone call, text and chat to 988
  • Suicide in progress: any contact who answers "yes" to the questions "Are you currently thinking of suicide?" and "Have you taken any action to harm yourself?"

Response Outcome Category Definitions

  • Resolved with no additional support needed: The majority of people who reach out to 988 find the support they need through speaking with trained, empathetic crisis counselors. Finding human connection and space to speak with someone who listens is one of the most effective ways to resolve crisis.
  • Resolved with additional resources/warmlines: 988 can help callers who are interested find local community resources, warmlines, useful websites, and other tools to help recover from and prevent future crisis.
  • Resolved with follow-up scheduled: When people reach out to 988 in situations where there is high risk of suicide, 988 offers follow up calls to check back in and see if the caller needs any additional support .
  • Resolved with dispatch: When people need immediate, in-person assistance 988 can request dispatch from Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (MCIS), Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) or 911 dispatch, which may include law enforcement or emergency medical services (EMS). To learn more about how 988 works with dispatch see the 988 Best Practice Guide. https://988lifeline.org/professionals/best-practices/  
  • Self-Transport to Walk-in/Hospital: Sometimes people reach out to 988 for assistance finding their own local in-person support. 988 can help navigate visits to walk-in clinics, crisis stabilization centers, and emergency departments.

Acronyms

  • LFL: Lines for Life
  • NWHS: Northwest Human Services
  • SAMHSA: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

​988 is here to support anyone in Oregon during a mental health, substance use or other emotional crisis. You do not have to share any personal or demographic information to receive help. 

People choose what they want to share, and many decide not to.  OHA is currently working to create tables and visuals showing demographic information that some contacts voluntarily provide while contacting 988. Preliminary data will be included in Phase Three. 

This information helps us better understand who is reaching out, but it is always optional. Because of this, OHA may publish this data on a case-by-case basis and provide reminders to the public and partners on data limitations. 


Return to the Behavioral Health Crisis System and 988 page >>

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is for people experiencing any type of behavioral health crisis.

Trained counselors are available 24/7 to talk, text or chat. There are also several specialized service options you can choose from:

  • Veterans Crisis Line
  • Spanish Language Line
  • ASL Videophone Line

988 menu options are administered nationally and are subject to change. Learn more about current services.


People using the 988 Lifeline are not required to provide any payment or insurance information to receive support. However, standard data rates from telecommunication mobile carriers may apply to those who text to the 988 Lifeline. If monetary assistance is needed for communications needs due to data rates, please see www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers for more information.

Explore the dropdown menus below for more information about 988 in Oregon.

If you are feeling emotional distress, experiencing a crisis or having thoughts of suicide, 988 is available for you to talk to a trained counselor who can offer compassionate support and listening.

Suicide and self-harm are not the only reasons 988 is available. Some common reasons people reach out to 988 include:

  • Feelings of depression or anxiety
  • Help managing mental health symptoms or substance use
  • Seeking information about mental health care
  • Difficulties with relationships, family members, friends or other people in their lives
  • Thoughts of hopelessness or helplessness
  • Employment, school or economic stressors
Counselors can confidentially talk through these or other issues with you to help you find the next steps that work best for you, such as:
  • Collaborating on a safety plan
  • Finding resources that meet your need
  • Connecting you to community programs or support groups
  • Contacting a Mobile Crisis Intervention Team to respond to your crisis
Learn more and find out about additional things you can do to support yourself on the 988 national webpage. ​

Many people live with or kno​​w loved ones, friends and family members who are struggling with their mental health, including substance use. 988 is available to help you support loved ones or yourself.

Consider reaching out if:

  • Your friend or loved one is experiencing emotional distress, has talked about suicide, or is struggling with substance use
  • You want to find more information about what services are available for your friend or loved one
  • To request a trained 988 Crisis Counselor or Mobile Crisis Intervention Team reach out to your friend or loved one
  • To request Mobile Response and Stabilization Services for a family member 26 years or younger.
  • To get support for yourself as you support your friend or loved one.

You can also call 988​ if you are concerned that someone is in crisis, and a 988 counselor can help you decide what next steps to take.

Learn more and find out about additional things you can do to support the loved ones in your life on the 988 national webpage.


988 can also assist professionals to help support the emotional well-being of the people they serve. Anyone working in their professional capacity can use 988 as a tool to help them support others. Therapists, medical professionals, religious leaders, school staff and case managers are just a few examples.​​

​Professionals can:

  • Reach out to 988 about an individual in crisis.
  • Call together with the individual to explore what 988 can do for them.
  • Include calling 988 in safety plans or discharge plans.

Learn more about 988 best practices from the 988 national website.

Learn more and find out about additional things you can do​ to support individuals you serve.

When you dial 988, you will hear a brief menu with some options:

  • Veterans can press 1
  • Spanish speakers can press 2
  • All others can press 0 or remain on the line
Once your call connects, a skilled crisis counselor will introduce themselves, listen to why you’re calling and ask if you are safe. ​

After they ask about your safety, your counselor will listen to your concerns, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support and share any resources that may be helpful.

Depending on what you want and need, 988 may also be able to help you find in-person support in your community or offer a follow up call to check in later.

For many people who call 988, just having to someone to talk with can provide relief.

You can learn more about what to expect from text, chat, and other specialized services from the national 988 network.

If you would like to speak with 988 in Spanish, you have two options:

  • Connect with the national 988 Spanish Language Line. You can speak with a skilled crisis counselor directly in Spanish via phone, text, or chat. Learn more on the 988 national webpage
  • Connect with your local Oregon 988 contact center via interpreter. If you would prefer to speak to someone in your local service area, dial 988 by phone, and then ask for an interpreter.
If you speak another language, 988 can help you via interpreter. Dial 988 by phone and tell your crisis counselor the name of the language you would like to speak. They will ask you to hold for a moment while they add an interpreter to your call.

All interpreters are fully trained and your call is confidential. In some cases, your local Oregon 988 contact center may also have bilingual staff who can assist you.


Dial 911 in situations where:

  • There is a medical emergency
  • There is a fire
  • A crime is in progress
  • There is an immediate threat to life

988 Oregon is answered by two community partners who specialize in community mental health, wellness and social support. Lines For Life is a statewide 988 contact center and answers calls, texts, and chats throughout Oregon. Northwest Human Services​ is a regional 988 contact center and specializes in supporting phone and text contacts in Marion and Polk counties.

988 Oregon crisis counselors receive over 200+ hours of training in active listening, crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment and other specialized skills to assist callers. Many crisis counselors have prior experience in mental health professions, and many are also peers with lived experience.

​​

988 is available to help 24/7, but there are many other resources available in Oregon and nationally. Explore the links below to find additional r​esources that interest you.

​​

​​988 values your privacy. You do not need to provide your name, address, location, or any personal information in order to get help from 988. You ar​e welcome to share as much or as little about yourself as you want. Any information you chose to share will be kept confidential. 988 collects information for three main reasons:

  • Help you stay safe
  • ​Help you find resources and support that are the best fit for you
  • Help make 988 service better

If you have any questions about how 988 collects information, you are welcome to ask at any time.