Research and Evaluation

Since 2001, the 988 Lifeline has been evaluating and strengthening crisis centers’ efforts through an iterative process. In recent years, the 988 Lifeline has also partnered with external researchers on analyses of extant data. The 988’s high service utilization and abundance of analyzable data provides opportunities for researchers to further evaluate the impact of the 988 Lifeline, as well examine other research questions initiated by investigators. 

The 988 Lifeline is often approached by researchers to collaborate on new research and evaluation projects.The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline welcomes opportunities to collaborate on research projects with the goal of preventing suicides and mental health crises, and providing a pathway to well-being. In order to preserve our values, which include the ultimate benefit of crisis contacts/crisis centers and avoidance of any potential harm to them; the preservation of network operations; and a commitment to including a diverse range of voices and experiences in our work, we take very seriously requests for 988 Lifeline data and requests to collaborate on research projects. 

The 988 Lifeline is able to collaborate with external researchers in the following ways: through public Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) or Requests for Proposals (RFP), wherein the 988 Lifeline and its administrator Vibrant Emotional Health request proposals for a specific project, usually with funding attached; through public data sharing here on the 988 Lifeline website;  and through the 988 Lifeline Restricted Access Dataset (988 RAD). More information can be found here.