Trust in the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline continues to grow four years after its launch, with 71% of Americans saying they would likely contact it during a mental health crisis. However, widespread misconceptions about the service are preventing people from seeking help, according to a new NAMI/Ipsos poll conducted in June 2026.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released the polling data on the fourth anniversary of 988, revealing that awareness of the lifeline has remained steady at 74% among U.S. adults. More importantly, the data shows that people are actually using the service and finding it helpful. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans report having contacted 988 for themselves or someone they know, and among those who called, 75% said they received some or all the help they needed during a mental health crisis.

"More people are reaching out to 988 than ever before, but our work to fulfill the vision of 988 must continue," said Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI. "We're hearing again and again that people support investment in mental health crisis care, and we're seeing the results of our investment, with recent data showing that 988 is having an impact on youth suicide rates."

Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI

What Misconceptions Are Keeping People From Calling 988?

Despite the service's track record, significant barriers remain in people's minds. The poll found that more than half of Americans harbor concerns about contacting 988, many of which are unfounded. These worries include fears about being charged for services, police involvement, privacy violations, and forced hospitalization.

• Cost Concerns: More than half (54%) of Americans worry about being charged for calling 988, even though the service is completely free to contact.
• Law Enforcement Fears: Fifty-two percent are concerned that police will be sent to their location if they call 988, a misconception that could deter people in genuine crisis.
• Privacy Worries: Forty-nine percent fear that their call would not remain private, despite 988 maintaining strict confidentiality protocols.
• Hospitalization Anxiety: Forty-eight percent worry they might be forced to go to the hospital, and 42% fear they could be jailed as a result of calling.

These misconceptions represent a significant public education gap. While 988 is designed to be a low-barrier entry point for people in crisis, the fears surrounding it may be preventing vulnerable individuals from reaching out when they need help most.

Who Is Most Likely to Use 988?

The poll reveals that certain populations are more likely to contact 988 than others. Young adults aged 18 to 29 are nine times more likely to have used the service compared to people 65 and older. LGBTQ+ individuals are twice as likely to have sought care from 988 than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Low-income Americans and parents also report higher rates of reaching out to the lifeline.

Among those who have successfully contacted 988, the experience has generally been positive. Sixty-five percent report that it was easy to get connected to a person via phone, text, or chat. Fifty-six percent reached someone without long wait times, and 54% received support that addressed their immediate needs.

However, there is still room for improvement in providing culturally tailored support. Only 38% of people who contacted 988 said it was easy to connect with someone who had a similar background, suggesting that while specialized services exist for veterans, Spanish-speaking individuals, and LGBTQ+ youth, more work is needed to ensure equitable access.

How to Increase Awareness and Trust in 988

• Educational Campaigns on ID Cards: Overwhelming majorities of Americans support policies that would raise awareness of 988 on college student ID cards (89%) and K-12 student ID cards (85%), offering a direct way to reach young people before crisis strikes.
• Multi-Channel Awareness Efforts: Of those aware of 988, 80% remember where they learned about it, with social media and television (31%) being the most common sources, followed by news articles and online media (23%), health care provider offices (20%), and public posters or signs (17%).
• Targeted Outreach to Underserved Groups: Specialized crisis services for Spanish-speaking individuals (76% support), LGBTQ+ youth and young adults (72% support), and veterans (93% support) are critical to ensuring all Americans have access to culturally competent crisis care.

What Does Public Support for 988 Funding Look Like?

Public backing for 988 extends beyond awareness and trust to financial support. Eighty-seven percent of Americans support both state and federal funding for 988 call-center operations and crisis response services, with more than half strongly supporting this investment. Support for federal funding has grown dramatically, jumping 17 percentage points in the past year (from 36% to 53%), while support for state funding increased 20 percentage points (from 32% to 52%).

More than half of Americans (54%) also believe that federal funding for 988 should be a high priority for Congress, reflecting broad recognition that mental health crisis services are a public health necessity.

Despite this strong public support for crisis services, many Americans continue to face barriers to accessing mental health care more broadly. Of people who looked for or tried to get mental health care in the past 12 months, roughly 1 in 4 said they paid more out-of-pocket for mental health care than expected (28%), skipped or delayed treatment because they couldn't afford it (27%), or couldn't find a provider who accepted their insurance (26%).

The data also reveals a growing mental health crisis in America. Thirty-seven percent of adults report ever thinking about or talking about suicide or self-harm, up from 30% a year ago. Thirty percent report ever experiencing a mental health crisis, up from 22% the previous year. These rising numbers underscore the urgent need for accessible crisis services like 988 and the continued investment in mental health infrastructure that the public clearly supports.