News Release

Workforce and staffing at 988 suicide & crisis lifeline centers

JAMA Network Open

Peer-Reviewed Publication

JAMA Network

About The Study: In this cross-sectional survey study of 988 Lifeline leaders, results suggested that most centers struggled to find resources to keep the center fully staffed. If staffing challenges persist, centers could face risks to staff well-being and service quality. Financing and operational strategies that support recruitment and retention will be critical to sustaining the quality and accessibility of 988 Lifeline centers.

Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Samantha Matthews, MPhil, MPA, email smatthew@rand.org.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/

(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.10789)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication. 


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