Access & Crisis Line

San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL)

The San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL) has been serving the people of San Diego County since 1997. It receives thousands of calls per month related to suicide prevention, crisis intervention, community resources, mental health referrals, and alcohol and drug support services. Confidential and free of charge, the line is immediately answered 7 days a week, 24 hours a day by Master's-level and Licensed Clinicians. The counselors average 16 years of clinical experience in a variety of backgrounds, including: emotionally disturbed youth, geriatric social services, nursing, in-home domestic violence intervention, case management, and drug and alcohol abuse. Language interpreter services enable the ACL to assist in over 200 languages within seconds.

The San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL) is a 988 Suicide and Crisis Line Partner

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide, free, and confidential crisis support service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across the United States.

How to Access 988

People can connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline through:

• Call: Dial 988
• Text: Text 988
• Chat: Use the online chat service through the 988 Lifeline website (insert chat link here)

Who 988 Helps

988 provides support for individuals experiencing:

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Mental health crises
• Substance use concerns
• Emotional distress
• Worry about a loved one who may be in crisis

What Happens When You Contact 988

When someone contacts 988, they are connected with a trained crisis counselor who:

• Listens without judgment
• Provides emotional support
• Helps assess immediate needs and safety concerns
• Connects callers with local resources and services when appropriate

Georouting Update

As of Fall 2024, the 988 Lifeline uses georouting, which routes calls based on the caller’s current geographic location rather than solely on their phone area code. This helps connect individuals to crisis centers and community resources that are most relevant to where they are located.

If someone is in emotional distress or experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis, calling or texting 988 can provide immediate support and connection to help.

San Diego County residents and visitors are encouraged to reach out directly to the ACL at 1-888-724-7240, the region’s existing crisis line.

Material Ordering Information

To order hard copies of the above materials please use our Outreach Request Form. If you need additional assistance or have questions regarding obtaining materials, please email the outreach team directly at sdoutreach@optum.com