The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is urging Pinellas County residents to call or text 988 as Tuesday, Sept. 8, marks national 988 Day.
The annual awareness day falls during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This year's national theme, promoted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is "988 reasons: Your reason is reason enough."
The Crisis Center answers local calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, connecting callers across Pinellas County with trained counselors around the clock. Clara Reynolds, the center's president and CEO, wrote in a Sept. 8 post on X that support is available for anyone having a difficult day or feeling overwhelmed, reinforcing the message that any reason to reach out is reason enough.
How Crisis Center Counselors Respond to Calls
Lead Care Coordinator Ariana Diaz told Bay News 9 that counselors start by checking in on how a caller is feeling and assessing immediate safety.
"We'll ask the caller how they're feeling," Diaz said. "Confirm if they're having those thoughts of suicide, and what we'll do from there is we will assess their safety."
From there, counselors can help build a safety plan, identify warning signs and coping strategies, and point callers toward longer-term resources such as therapy, psychiatry and support groups. Callers who need continued help can request suicide prevention care coordination, which includes weekly follow-up calls to stay connected with services.
Help is available around the clock.
988 Call Volume More Than Doubles Nationwide Since 2022 Launch
Since the 988 Lifeline launched nationwide in July 2022, call volume has more than doubled, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on April 22, 2026. The same study found suicides among Americans ages 15 to 34 were 11% lower than expected between July 2022 and December 2024, representing 4,372 fewer deaths than projected. States with the largest increases in 988 call volume saw suicide rates drop by 18.2%.
How Pinellas County Residents Can Reach 988
Anyone in Palm Harbor, Dunedin or anywhere in Pinellas County can call or text 988 at any time. The service is free, confidential and available to people concerned about someone else as well. More information is available at crisiscenter.com.
More Local News: Dunedin Planning and Recreation Updates
- The Dunedin Local Planning Agency reviews building compatibility standards on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
- Dunedin's fall recreation lineup includes new archery and fencing programs.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
