ST. PAUL, MN — Calls, texts and chats routed to 988 Minnesota Lifeline centers have climbed steadily since the national mental health lifeline launched in July 2022, with more than 370,000 total contacts answered so far.
Contacts jumped from about 25,000 in the program's first six months to about 83,000 in the first half of 2026 alone, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
State funding approved by Gov. Tim Walz and the Legislature in 2023 has helped local 988 centers keep pace with demand, connecting Minnesotans with in-state specialists trained to de-escalate crises and build safety plans, officials said.
"When you need someone to talk to, 988 is your reliable resource to help work through emotions and challenging times," said Tanya Carter, supervisor of MDH's Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Unit. Minnesotans can call or text 988, chat at 988lifeline.org, or press 2 for Spanish-language support.
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Saint Paul, MN Patch
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