Starting Saturday, Hawaii residents will have access to the national 988 dialing code for direct access to mental health and substance abuse resources.

What You Need To Know

  • The code puts callers with an 808 area code phone number in touch with the Hawaii CARES crisis line, which provides free, confidential support to people in mental-health or substance use-related crisis

  • Callers with non-808 area code numbers will be connected with a crisis center in another state

  • Hawaii CARES is administered by the state Department of Health with support from CARE Hawaii and Aloha United Way

  • Last December, the federal Department of Health and Human Services directed $280 million toward helping states make the transition

The code, which operates similarly to 911, puts callers with an 808 area code phone number in touch with the Hawaii CARES crisis line, which provides free, confidential support to people in mental-health or substance use-related crisis.

Callers with non-808 area code numbers will be connected with a crisis center in another state. However, anyone can still reach Hawaii CARES by calling 808-832-3100 or 1-800-753-6879 or using the chat function at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.

“The 988 launch reflects a nationwide commitment to prioritizing mental health and increasing access to resources,” said Marian Tsuji, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health. “In Hawaii, 988 adds to the ways that people can reach the CARES Crisis Line. Our staff will continue to connect people across Hawaii with mental health and substance use recovery resources.”  

Hawaii CARES is administered by the state Department of Health with support from CARE Hawaii and Aloha United Way. Last year, the service fielded 101,151 calls.

Hawaii CARES clinical and crisis call center staff provide supportive counseling, screening for urgent or emergent mental health or substance use needs, and referrals to behavioral health resources. DOH’s wraparound services connect CARES callers and others with crisis mobile outreach and other services.

The nationwide launch of 988 on Saturday has been lauded as a major milestone in improving access to needed care for those with mental health or substance use issues as it replaces the original 10-digit number for the national suicide prevention network with an easier-to-remember, three-digit number.

Last December, the federal Department of Health and Human Services directed $280 million toward helping states make the transition.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.