Get Help Now
24-Hour FirstLink 211 Helpline
Dial 2-1-1 or 701-235-SEEK (7335) if you are wondering about local community resources or if you would like listening and support.
DIAL 211 OR 701-235-SEEK (7335)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
FirstLink’s 988 Lifeline, 988, is connected to a national network of crisis services, so no call for help is unanswered. Our Call Specialists help those who are having thoughts of suicide themselves, or who have a concern about someone.
Crisis Phone Services
Crisis Service Agencies contract with FirstLink to answer their phones after hours.
Disaster Services
FirstLink is contracted by the Cities of Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo, and the Counties of Cass and Clay to coordinate volunteers in a disaster. FirstLink has experience in managing volunteer check-in sites and a disaster volunteer helpline during major disasters.
FAQs
What happens when I call the Lifeline?
First you will hear an automated message explaining options while your call is routed to your local lifeline network crisis center. A trained crisis worker at your local center will answer the phone. This person will listen to you, understand how your experience is affecting you, provide support and link you to the help you need.
What can I talk about?
You can call the lifeline to talk about a variety of topics. People call to talk about substance abuse, economic worries, relationships, sexual identity, abuse, depression, mental and physical illness and loneliness, to name a few.
Will the Lifeline phone number appear on my phone bill?
Whether the Lifeline phone number will appear on your phone bill depends on your phone carrier. Please contact your phone carrier to ask how 1-800 toll-free numbers will appear on your phone bill.
If I call the Lifeline will my phone call always be directed to FirstLink?
Phone numbers starting with a 701 and some with the 218-area code will initially be directed to FirstLink. If the call specialists at FirstLink are already on a lifeline call, your phone call will be directed to a backup National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Center.
If I talk about suicide will you send the police to check on me?
It is rare for a call specialist to contact police, and in most cases, can de-escalate the situation or come up with a safety plan with the contact. Sometimes there are situations where confidentiality might be broken in order to keep people safe, but this happens very infrequently.
Should I call the Lifeline?
No matter what challenges you are facing, whether or not you are thinking about suicide, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, call the Lifeline.
Can I try calling the Lifeline?
Absolutely yes! Feel free to dial the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to try out the service. You can simply tell the call specialist that answers that you wanted to try out the service to see what to expect when calling. You can call for yourself or call with a family member or friend to encourage them to use the service 24/7, call with your clients or students so they know what to expect when calling in.
Is the Lifeline available in other languages for non-English speakers?
Yes. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a Spanish Language line at 1-888-628-9454. We also provide Tele-Interpreters service to our crisis centers, which supports over 150 languages.
How long will the call last?
The goal is to help you feel supported and safe. The call can last as long or as short as needed.
How is 988 different from the Lifeline?
988 is not a new service, but instead builds and expands upon the existing service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which has been in operation since 2005. The new, shorter, 988 phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. (The current Lifeline 10-digit number will continue to function.) Like the national Suicide prevention Lifeline, 988 Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats or texts from anyone who needs support for suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, and connects those in need with trained crisis counselors.
