5 reasons why the #988Lifeline will make a difference for kids— a quick🧵

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for kids starting at age 10. Horrifically, it's also in the top 10 causes of death for kids starting at age 5.

We need all the help we can get. 1) Texting

988 is available to anyone regardless of age, but a new feature super important for kids and teenagers is the ability to directly text 988—and they are using it.

In the large California sample below, 90% of individuals texting for help in a crisis were 18 or younger

Do you have questions about 9️⃣8️⃣8️⃣?

Here's a quick FAQ to get you up to speed on the new #988Lifeline — because #MentalHealthMatters! What can I call 988 for?

— Any kind of emotional distress, including thoughts of suicide
— A mental health crisis
— A substance use related crisis

— You can also call 988 if you're worried about a friend or family member who might need help