NCDHHS Celebrates 988 Day, Recognizes Second Anniversary of ASL Services Offered to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

Credentialed media are invited to attend a ceremony on Sept. 8, 2025, commemorating 988 Day and the second anniversary of ASL being offered through the nationwide 988 service. The event will be held at the REAL Crisis Center in Greenville, which is the state center for answering calls to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

988 Day serves to raise awareness and highlight the success of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a nationwide network of more than 200 state and local call centers that provides counseling services for individuals looking for help with suicide, mental health and substance use-related crises. The service provides targeted support for many at-risk populations, including veterans and youth, and features Spanish-language counselors.

Additionally, on Sept. 8, 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched direct video calling feature to 988 for consumers fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). The event will include sign language interpreters.

WHAT: 988 Day and Second Anniversary of ASL Service for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

WHO: Kelly Crosbie, Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, NCDHHS

Dara Baril, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program Lead, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, NCDHHS

Tracy Kennedy, Executive Director, REAL Crisis Center

Deylanis Henderson, Speaking on her lived experience with mental health care

Jennifer Freeman, Coastal NC Regional Manager, NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

WHEN: Sept. 8, 2025,

10:30 - 11 a.m.

WHERE: REAL Crisis Center

1310 East Arlington Blvd.

Greenville, NC 27858

MEDIA: Credentialed media should RSVP to [email protected].

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