How states pay for and run the 988 suicide and mental health crisis hotline
Official title: Implementation of the Federal 988 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Hotline Policy: Determinants and Effects of State Policy Implementation Financing Strategies
Funded at New York University · NIH-11251572 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how different states fund and put the 988 crisis hotline into practice to help people who call during a mental health emergency.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $404,189 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131649-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251572 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include people who have used crisis hotlines or emergency mental health services, family members, hotline staff and administrators, and state policymakers involved in 988 planning.
✕Less likely to help
People living outside the United States or those who do not rely on phone-based crisis support may not see direct benefits from this project.
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, researchers will map how each U.S. state is planning to pay for and operate the 988 hotline. They will review state laws and documents and talk with hotline staff, state policymakers, and people with lived experience to learn what works and what does not. The team will compare different financing approaches to see how they affect call volume, wait times, and whether services reach people in crisis. Findings will aim to point to funding strategies that keep the hotline available and responsive.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help states adopt funding plans that keep 988 staffed and reduce wait times, improving access to crisis support for people in distress.
How similar studies have gone: Suicide hotlines like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have shown benefits for callers, but studying how state financing choices affect 988 implementation is a newer area of research.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Purtle, Jonathan — New York University
- Study coordinator: Purtle, Jonathan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.