988 builds on the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline system and provides 24/7, free and confidential support to Ohioans in a behavioral health crisis. It is a direct
connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or addiction concerns, or any other kind of emotional distress.
Research shows that most calls to the Lifeline can be managed and resolved through a
consultation on the phone; however, if a person needs an emergency, in-person response, 988 counselors are trained to connect the person in crisis with a mobile response team, which may be a behavioral health team or first responder team (or a combination of both) who will meet the person at their place of crisis.