988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Adds ASL Videophone Service
The IDHS Division of Mental Health is pleased to share a new 988 resource for callers who are Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened. These callers now may connect directly to a trained 988 Lifeline counselor in American Sign Language (ASL) through their videophone.
Illinois residents, who primarily communicate with ASL, may call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) from their videophone to access this service. In the coming weeks, this service will be available to anyone who directly dials 988. In addition, ASL service is available by clicking “ASL Now” option via this website link:
https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/for-deaf-hard-of-hearing/
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched in Illinois in July 2022 to provide quick access to a trained crisis counselor for those experiencing emotional or mental distress, and for those who are contemplating suicide. Additional information about Illinois services is available at this link:
https://988hotline.illinois.gov
To celebrate this launch, an event is being held with our neighbors in Missouri. It will be available by livestream on Friday, September 8th at 11:30 am. The link for the livestream is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp8xwIeCpMY
Please watch to learn more, and share this expanded 988 service with your networks to help spread the word.