Hi Everyone,
The 988 Lifeline has officially launched an expansion of their services for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Those who are experiencing distress or other mental health or substance use concerns can use their videophone-enabled device to dial 988 or select the “ASLNow” button on 988lifeline.org from anywhere in the United States. Please see the new referral, called “988 Lifeline Videophone”, for more information.
You can find this referral in the “Hearing Impaired” category that contains additional resources for this population. You may want to peruse this category during any downtime in case you find yourself on a call from or about someone who has hearing loss. We have received calls from people who are calling on behalf of someone with hearing loss, and this would be an excellent referral to provide in case that person needs to reach out to 988 themselves.
Remember that we also have a referral for “988 Lifeline Chat & Text” that people in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community can use as well if they would prefer that platform. The website listed in the new referral also has a link to connect to the 988 chat (not to be confused with the LICC chat answered by our volunteers), so please feel free to familiarize yourself with this resource when you have the chance.
-Frank
