Mental Health Awareness Month: What 988 Taught Me About the Power of Access to Care

Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity not only to reflect, but to act on what we know saves lives. For me, it’s also a reminder of a lesson I’ve carried from one chapter of my career to the next: when we make help easier to reach, people are more likely to use it, and outcomes improve. 

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to serve on the team of federal public servants who launched the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. My role focused on engaging Congress, building bipartisan support, and keeping lawmakers and their staff informed as the country transitioned from a long, ten‑digit phone number to a simple, easy‑to‑remember three‑digit lifeline. 

Behind the policy work was a shared understanding: during a crisis, complexity can be dangerous. When someone is overwhelmed, frightened, or unsure where to turn, even the smallest barrier can feel insurmountable. The goal of 988 was straightforward but powerful: to provide a universal entry point so that, no matter where someone lives in the United States, they can reach a caring, trained counselor who can help. The transition to a simple three‑digit number was designed to reduce friction at the exact moment someone decides to reach out. 

The 988 Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats, and texts from anyone who needs support for suicidal thoughts, mental health challenges, and/or substance use crises. And today, emerging data suggest that this approach is making a measurable difference. 

What 988 Reinforces About Access 

A recent study published in JAMA found that the rate of suicides among young people in the United States declined following the launch of 988, offering early evidence that improving access to crisis support can save lives. While suicide prevention requires many interconnected strategies, this research reinforces something advocates and communities have long known: ease of access is central to lifesaving care. 

When people know where to go, trust what they’ll find, and can act quickly, they are more likely to seek help. The early success of 988 underscores the importance of designing systems around real human needs, not around institutional complexity. 

This lesson is especially important as we confront a related and ongoing public health crisis that affects millions of families: substance use disorder (SUD). 

The Reality Families Face When Seeking Substance Use Treatment 

Although SUD is a treatable medical condition, too many people encounter stigma, misinformation, and confusion when trying to find care. For families, the experience is often overwhelming, especially when mental health challenges and substance use disorder co-occur, as they often do. 

Families seeking substance use treatment are frequently left to navigate a fractured and opaque system. A Google search leads with sponsored results that may look nice at first glance. But quality varies widely, and evidence-based care can be difficult to identify. The emotional toll of not knowing where to turn can delay treatment at moments when time matters most. 

How Shatterproof Already Applies These Lessons 

One of my most important takeaways from the launch of 988 is that simplifying the path to care saves lives. I’ve learned that the same principle guides Shatterproof’s work to ensure that individuals and families can find high-quality, evidence-based substance use treatment without unnecessary barriers. 

TreatmentAtlas.org was built with this goal in mind. It is a free, confidential, and trusted resource that helps people understand treatment options and identify providers that use evidence-based practices. By presenting information in a clear and transparent way, Treatment Atlas empowers families to make informed decisions during one of the most challenging moments of their lives. 

Just as 988 reduced uncertainties for people in crisis, Treatment Atlas reduces uncertainty for families seeking substance use treatment—replacing guesswork with clear, reliable information. 

Advancing Access at the State Level 

Today, as Shatterproof’s Senior Director of State Engagement in California, I see how critical state leadership is in shaping access to care. State policies influence how treatment systems operate, how quality is defined, and whether families can find help when they need it most. 

By advancing policies and supporting programs that promote transparency and access to evidence‑based treatment, states can strengthen systems and support long‑term recovery for individuals and families alike. 

From Awareness to Impact 

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that awareness is important—but awareness alone is not enough. Progress requires action grounded in what works. 

The early impact of 988 reinforces a powerful truth: when we reduce barriers, people reach out—and lives are saved. That same commitment must guide how we address substance use disorder, ensuring that help is not only available, but findable, understandable, and rooted in science. 

At Shatterproof, we believe recovery is possible for every family. By breaking down barriers, strengthening systems, and expanding access to evidence‑based care, we can transform moments of awareness into lasting, life‑saving change.