Calls to Missouri’s 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline increase in third year of operation
Erika McGuire
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Calls to Missouri’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline have risen significantly each year since the hotline launched three years ago, according to data from the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
The free, three-digit hotline launched on July 16, 2022, connecting users to crisis call centers across Missouri. It provides support for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, mental health crises, or other forms of emotional distress. Help is available via phone, text, or online chat 24/7.
On Thursday, the Trump administration ended the 988 hotline service tailored for LGBTQ+youth. The service was available by pressing 3 and replying “Pride” via text.
Federal data show that from 988’s launch in 2022 until May 1, 2025, there were about 1.5 million LGBTQ+ calls to 988.
From June 2024 to June 2025, there were 102,090 calls to Missouri’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — an average of 8,508 calls per month.
That marks an increase of 2,881 calls compared to the previous year.
In the first six months of 2025, there were over 48,000 calls to the crisis hotline, with April having the most at 8,507. That is up from April 2024, which had 6,340 calls.
Department of Mental Health crisis services coordinator Casey Muckler said the increase in calls is likely due to growing awareness of 988 in the state.
“It’s really hard to say exactly what’s directly driving the 988 volume,” Muckler said. “However, I do think a big driver in our 988 volume is that awareness, more people are learning that 988 is available, so they are reaching out. We have 988 billboards across the state, we have signage at sporting events, we have posters in schools making sure students are aware of 988, we have handouts.”
Muckler said the types of calls 988 receives vary.
“Some people call because they are feeling suicidal, some people call because they are struggling with substances and they’re struggling with substance use, some people are calling because they are feeling lonely and just want someone to talk to,” she said.
While the number of calls to Missouri’s 988 hotline has increased, the average answer rate has remained steady over the past two years at 93.5%, an improvement from the hotline’s first year, which had an average answer rate of 91%.
The average speed to answer from July 2024 to June 2025 was approximately 15 seconds, consistent with the previous year. June marked the fastest response time during that period, with calls answered in an average of just 12 seconds.
Muckler said the national standard for 988 is to answer 90% or more of all calls, texts and chats.
“Here in Missouri, we are consistently answering between 94 and 96% percent of calls that come into the state,” Mucker added. “Missouri is also consistently ranking among the top five states for our in-state answer rate and volume.”
Having seven 988 centers, including six call centers and one dedicated to text and chat, helps maintain consistent answer speeds.
“There is a statewide backup system that answers calls that weren’t able to be answered on the first ring,” Muckler said.
Last year, Muckler told ABC 17 News that 988 was working to route calls based on a caller’s physical location rather than the area code tied to their phone number. She says significant progress has now been made.
“Geo-routing with the three largest carriers, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, they have adopted geo-routing, which basically means if you are calling 988, your call is going to route to the center based on the closest cell tower to you instead of your area code,” Muckler said. “It’s more accurate call routing”
As for staffing, Muckler said that hasn’t been a concern.
“Our 988 centers are fully staffed, so we’re very thankful that we have 988 crisis specialists in Missouri. They are amazing. It’s a very hard job, and we’re really thankful we don’t have any staffing shortages for 988,” Mucker said.
If anyone is experiencing a mental health crisis, they can get in contact with a trained crisis professional by calling or texting 988, chatting with 988 or using a video phone.