ACCESS 988 COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Need support now? Call or text 988. For immediate medical danger, fire, or violence in progress, call 911.
Black women and girls deserve care before crisis becomes a breaking point.
Black Mothers In Power is using Access 988 outreach to increase awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and connect Black women, girls, birthing people, and families to culturally responsive mental health and maternal care support.
Call 988 | Text 988 | Chat with 988
Free. Confidential. 24/7.
Support is available for mental health distress, substance use concerns, suicidal thoughts, grief, trauma, or when you are worried about someone you love.
What is 988?
988 is the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can call, text, or chat 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor any time of day or night.
You do not have to be suicidal to use 988. You can reach out when you feel overwhelmed, unsafe, anxious, depressed, numb, isolated, grieving, triggered, or unsure how to keep going.
Our message is simple: Asking for help is not weakness. It is protection, love, and survival.
Why this matters for Black women, girls, and maternal care
We carry too much alone
Black women and girls often experience stress, grief, trauma, racism, care-giving pressure, and community violence while being expected to stay strong.
Pregnancy and postpartum need support
Pregnancy, birth, pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, anxiety, birth trauma, and parenting stress can affect mental health. Care should be early, accessible, and judgment-free.
Culturally responsive care saves lives
People are more likely to seek help when outreach reflects their lives, language, families, faith, culture, and lived experiences.
When should someone contact 988?
Call, text, or chat 988 if you or someone you know is experiencing:
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Emotional distress, panic, depression, or feeling out of control
- Substance use concerns
- Trauma, grief, violence, or fear
- Pregnancy or postpartum mental health distress
- Concern for a friend, child, partner, parent, or loved one
You do not have to explain everything perfectly. Start with: “I need help.”
What happens when you contact 988?
You call, text, or chat 988. A trained crisis counselor connects with you.
They listen without judgment. You can share what is happening and what you need.
You talk through next steps. This may include calming support, a safety plan, resources, or connection to local care.
You are not alone. The goal is to support you with care, dignity, and safety.
Our Access 988 Focus
Community education
Sharing easy-to-understand information about what 988 is, when to use it, and how families can support loved ones in crisis.
Maternal mental health outreach
Centering Black mothers, pregnant people, postpartum families, caregivers, and girls who need mental health support before, during, and after birth.
Connection to care
Helping community members understand options for crisis support, therapy, postpartum support, doulas, peer care, and local resources.
Share this message
Post it. Text it. Say it out loud. Put it on flyers, resource tables, diaper distributions, baby showers, schools, churches, clinics, and community events.
Sample message: “If you are overwhelmed, grieving, depressed, anxious, or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988. You deserve support right now.”
Helpful Links
Black Mothers In Power | Access 988 Community Education
For outreach, workshops, or partnership opportunities, contact: hello@blackmothersinpower.org
This page is for education and resource connection. It does not replace emergency care, medical care, therapy, or legal advice.