Dial area code for local calls
988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline is now active AND our local Knoxville area has transitioned to 10-digit dialing!
REMEMBER, please dial the 10-digit version of local numbers, now beginning with your area code; 865, or area code 423 for most Knoxville area phone customers.
And, if you have “988” as part of your number, please remind your callers to dial “865!”
Every time you forget and dial “988” first, you’re going to have a very supportive crisis counselor on the other end of the line. While we love to hear from you, we’d like to focus on folks who need us.
When you’ve got a police, fire, or rescue emergency, you call 911. When you have an urgent mental health need, you’ll call 988. #strongertogether
CONTACT Care Line
Your East TN 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Center
Since 1973, Contact Care Line’s mission has been to provide free and compassionate emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress through confidential telephone services.
And, while you may not know our name, you do know our number: 988. We answer Knoxville area calls and texts to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
CONTACT is also the primary 988 Lifeline Text center for all of Tennessee.
Additionally, we are a National Backup Center for 988 Lifeline Text & Chats; responding to over 50,000 chats and texts annually, primarily from adolescents and young adults (for whom suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death.)
What is 988?
In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) is the lead federal agency,
in partnership with the Federal Communications
Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs,
working to make the promise of 988 a reality for America.
Moving to a 3-digit dialing code is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to strengthen and expand the existing
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the Lifeline).
Of course, 988 is more than just an easy-to-remember
number—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 substance use crisis, or any
other kind of emotional distress. Preparing for full 988
implementation requires a bold vision for a crisis care
system that provides direct, life-saving services to
all in need.
SAMHSA sees 988 as a first step towards a transformed
crisis care system in much the same way as emergency
medical services have expanded in the US.
Too many Americans are experiencing suicide and mental health crises without the support and care they need. In 2020 alone, the US had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes — and for people aged 10-34 years, suicide is a leading cause of death.
Moving to an easy-to-remember, 3-digit dialing code will provide greater access to life-saving services.
Providing 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works! The Lifeline helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.
