Mental health crisis hotline changing to 988. Here’s more resources for those in Lexington

As of Saturday, the former National Suicide Prevention Hotline will be available by call or text at 988.

Its name is now the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and it is free, confidential and available 24/7.

Anyone in the U.S. can use the crisis line, which is affiliated with more than 200 local crisis centers. In 2021 alone, the hotline received more than 2.5 million calls.

Spanish language speakers can use the hotline, and lifeline information is available in Spanish online.

Along with the flagship 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a variety of other national and local crisis response services are available in Lexington. We’ve rounded some up for you.

Local crisis resources

Here are some crisis hotlines based in Fayette County or elsewhere Kentucky. They are all available to residents of Lexington.

New Vista Helpline

1-800-928-8000

New Vista offers crisis counseling 24/7 for mental health, substance abuse and intellectual/developmental disability emergencies. The nonprofit serves 17 central Kentucky counties, including Fayette.

Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass

859-253-2511

Formerly the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center, this hotline operates 24/7 and offers support to callers in Fayette and surrounding counties. Trained advocates provide support, resources and crisis counseling focused on the experience of sexual violence.

Lexington VA Health Care System

Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.

Text 838255

This crisis line is available to veterans and anyone who is worried about one. The service is free, private and available 24/7. You can also visit your nearest VA medical center, regardless of your discharge status or if you’re enrolled in VA health care.

GreenHouse 17

800-544-2022

This 24/7 hotline is available in 17 Kentucky counties, including Fayette. The advocacy group offers support to survivors of domestic violence over the phone and also through an emergency shelter located in Fayette County. According to its website, GreenHouse 17 is committed to providing inclusive care to LGBTQ+ people.

National crisis resources

The Trevor Project

Call: 1-866-488-7386

You can also text START to 678-678

Designed for young LGBTQ+ people, this 24/7 hotline is free and confidential. There’s an option to text a counselor, as well as call, and you can also use an online chat system. The Trevor Project’s website offers a guided calming exercise for those who may feel anxious to reach out.

The Steve Fund

Text STEVE to 741741

This text-based crisis line is staffed by culturally trained counselors who provide support to young people of color. The Steve Fund functions as a partnership with the general Crisis Text Hotline in aim to offer more access to informed counseling to young people of color.

Trans Lifeline

U.S. hotline: 877-565-8860

The Trans Lifeline is a “peer support phone service” run by trans individuals who provide assistance to trans and trans questioning people. The hotline has a policy of not calling emergency services, such as 911, without the consent of the caller.

Do you have a question about mental health resources in Kentucky? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.

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