Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced the bipartisan 988 Call Center Improvement Act. The legislation would authorize $441 million in federal funding for technology and support staff for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, including licensed mental health professionals and training in evidence-based interventions.

“Every call to 988 is an act of courage made in a moment of crisis,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Making sure the people answering those calls have what they need to help is the least we can do. This bill is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole thing. That’s wh
I am working alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support 988 services across the board, so no call goes unanswered and no center is left without what it needs.”

“When someone calls 988 during a mental health crisis, they should be able to quickly reach trained professionals who can connect them with the care they need,” said Congressman Bacon. “The 988 Call Center Improvement Act will strengthen local call centers by improving technology, supporting trained staff and expanding follow-up services so more people receive timely, effective help. I’m pleased to join Rep. Trahan on this bipartisan legislation to strengthen our mental health crisis response system.”

Specifically, the 988 Call Center Improvement Act would:

• Invest in technology necessary to expand capacity and increase local response rates;

• Provide follow-up and follow-through services so that individuals are effectively engaged with local behavioral health crisis options;

• Support staff, including licensed mental health professionals and peer support workers;

• Train staff and volunteers in providing evidence-based interventions, including for high-risk populations.

The 988 Call Center Improvement Act was included as part of the 988 Implementation Act, a comprehensive legislative package of bipartisan bills led by Trahan, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) to address gaps in care for individuals experiencing mental health crises. The broader bipartisan package would strengthen federal funding for 988 regional and local call centers to deliver timely, 24/7 response to callers while expanding community-based and mobile crisis response and increasing awareness of 988 services.

Since being sworn into Congress in 2019, Trahan has led efforts to expand access to quality mental health care and improve the resources and support of those in need of care. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law Trahan’s Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Reauthorization Act, which reauthorized and strengthening community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention efforts.

Earlier this year, she led a bipartisan group of 100 House members demanding the Trump administration reverse its decision to terminate thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants that fund local mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the country. This past May, Trahan introduced the bipartisan Campus Lifeline Act of 2026, legislation aiming to expand awareness and access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for students and young adults.

Full text of the 988 Call Center Improvement Act can be found HERE.

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