Some have reported being hung up on when a 988 counselor misinterpreted their silence to mean they’d walked away. “I’ve called 988, I’ve texted 988 before, and my experience was I don’t want to do it anymore.”Advertisement“I’ve called 988, I’ve texted 988 before, and my experience was I don’t want to do it anymore. Then last year, they achieved a goal long in the works: direct training for 988 counselors. AdvertisementThe sessions were voluntary, and their recordings were placed in the online library of continuing education materials available to all 988 counselors. “Autistic people have unique communication needs, yet crisis supports were not created with autistic needs in mind.”

Source: Los Angeles Times April 01, 2026 22:00 UTC