Idaho Crisis & Suicide Hotline – Our Story
Idaho Crisis & Suicide Hotline (ICSH) responds to thousands of Idahoans each month who are experiencing suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or substance use struggles—24/7, by phone, text, and chat. Since our founding in 2012, we've grown from a grassroots volunteer effort into Idaho's professional, statewide crisis call center.
Our work delivers concrete public safety outcomes. Early crisis intervention reduces strain on law enforcement, emergency departments, and inpatient care systems. All of our services are free, confidential, and available to every Idaho resident.
Our growth has paralleled a national recognition of the vital role crisis hotlines play. In 2020, Congress established 988 as the nation's official crisis & suicide prevention line through bipartisan legislation, signed by President Donald J. Trump and co-sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The line launched nationally in July 2022.
Idaho rose to meet 988's full intended purpose: serving as the hub of a statewide crisis care system.
That vision took fuller shape with the launch of the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan in July 2024. Since then, ICSH has expanded its service well beyond calls, texts, and chats—dispatching mobile crisis response teams for in-person intervention and facilitating easier admission to Idaho's Adult and Youth Crisis Centers.
We are Idahoans, serving Idahoans.
