A new study published in JAMA found that suicide deaths among Americans aged 15–34 dropped 11% below the expected rate after the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in July 2022, amounting to more than 4,300 fewer deaths than projected.

However, researchers and outside experts caution that it is difficult to attribute the decline specifically to the 988 hotline, as states with higher call volume may also be investing more broadly in suicide prevention.

“988 uptake varies across states in ways that are unlikely to be random,” says Associate Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs Michiko Ueda-Ballmer, who researches mental health policy and wasn’t involved in the new study.

“States with higher uptake may also be those investing more broadly in suicide prevention” or in encouraging people to seek help, she says. “That makes it difficult to isolate the specific contribution of 988.”

Read more in the Scientific American article, “Young adult suicide rates dropped after U.S. launched 988 hotline.”