WE
Need to talk?
Call or text 988 anytime you need help.
Learn how to help a loved one.
BELONG
THERE IS STRENGTH IN ASKING FOR HELP
Sac & Fox brothers and sisters who are struggling: you are not alone. Tatakwi mikechēhiyani - we work together. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, or are just having a tough time and need to talk to someone, call or text 988. You’ll instantly be chatting with a trained crisis counselor who is there to listen and can help connect you to the support you need for free.
When should i call or text 988?
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. Talking to someone early can prevent a crisis later. You can contact 988 if you or someone you love is:
Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or emotionally distressed
Worried about a loved one’s mental health or safety
Unsure where else to turn for support
HOW 988 HELPS
According to SAMHSA, every 11 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide, and Native communities have been especially impacted in recent years. In 2021 and 2022, suicide rates rose significantly among American Indian and Alaska Native people. But there is hope. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress. Since launching, 988 has answered more than 14 million calls, texts, and chats. You're not alone. Call, text, or chat 988 to speak with someone who cares.
resources
988 FAQs: This free, downloadable FAQ was created to help community members understand 988, address common concerns and feel more confident reaching out for support.
Safety Plan: Make a plan before a crisis happens. This free, printable safety plan is designed to help individuals and families talk through warning signs, coping strategies and who to contact for help. Filling it out together can make it easier to take action during a difficult moment and ensure no one has to face a crisis alone.
Cultural strength and community connection play an important role in mental wellness, yet many people still face barriers to seeking help when they need it most. Recent community survey data shows that fear of judgement and stigma remain a significant concern, with 61% of respondents saying stigma may prevent people from seeking mental health support.*
Why is 988 important for THE Sac & Fox Nation?
Access to culturally respectful care also matters. In the same survey, 62% said it is important to speak with someone from their own cultural background during a crisis, and among those who had contacted 988, 70% felt the counselor understood and respected their cultural background.*
988 provides free, confidential 24/7 support - by call or text - connecting individuals and families to trained counselors who listen with compassion and respect when it matters most.
988 Tribal Response provides vital assistance to Sac & Fox members for free.
*Data from 2025 AAIP and Sac & Fox Nation survey.
Need to talk?
Call or text 988 anytime you need help.
About the Sac & Fox Nation 988 Tribal Response Campaign
In 2023, the Sac & Fox Nation received funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support its 988 Tribal Response efforts. The funding supports community education, outreach and awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, with a focus on improving access to culturally respectful mental health support. The Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP), a national organization dedicated to advancing Native health, partnered with the Nation to support this work.
To better understand community awareness and perceptions, the Sac & Fox Nation 988 Tribal Response team and AAIP conducted surveys at the Nation’s annual events in both 2024 and 2025. The 2024 baseline survey showed that more than half of respondents had not heard of 988, underscoring the need for targeted outreach and education.
Following a year of community engagement and awareness efforts, the 2025 follow-up survey showed measurable progress. Awareness of 988 increased by 17%, with 64% of respondents reporting they had heard of the lifeline. The survey also highlighted ongoing needs: 61% cited fear of judgment or stigma as a barrier to seeking help, and 62% said it is important to speak with someone from their cultural background during a crisis. Among those who had contacted 988, 70% said counselors understood and respected their cultural background.
The Sac & Fox 988 Tribal Response initiative continues to focus on expanding awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring community members know they can access free, confidential, 24/7 support when they need it.
Questions? Contact Black Hawk Health Clinic Behavioral Health: 918-968-9531