New Ohio License Plate Featuring 988 Supports Suicide Prevention Efforts

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohioans now have a powerful new way to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention, thanks to a new specialty license plate featuring the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. At a press conference held May 20, 2025, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to unveil the new plate.

The plate, which features the bold “988” number, serves as a reminder help is just a call or text away for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

“Every life matters, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a vital part of Ohio’s effort to ensure that help is available when it’s needed most,” said Governor DeWine. “These specialized license plates are another example of how we are getting the word out about this important, lifesaving resource.”

Each license plate purchase includes a $25 contribution to OSPF, supporting statewide initiatives to reduce suicides and expand access to critical resources.

“The proceeds will go directly back into Ohio communities to provide training and resources to prevent suicide,” said OSPF Executive Director Tony Coder. “With this new license plate, we will continue to spread hope and healing across the state.”

OSPF championed the specialized plate after being approached by Chip and Debbie McClintock of northeast Ohio. Debbie is a suicide loss survivor, having lost her husband, Pete, and son, Logan. This prompted a signature-gathering effort to encourage state lawmakers to create a specialty license plate dedicated to suicide prevention. Governor DeWine signed Senate Bill 163 earlier this year, which officially established the 988 license plate. During the news conference, Governor DeWine presented a replica of the plate to the McClintocks.

“I’m beyond grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make this suicide prevention license plate a reality,” said Debbie McClintock. “This is a small but powerful way to show that help is available, and you are never alone. I hope it reminds others that asking for help is always OK. If it helps just one person, it means the world.”

The easy-to-remember, three-digit 988 Lifeline launched in July 2022 and provides free and confidential support 24/7 to Ohioans experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Ohio’s 19 call centers have responded to nearly 538,000 contacts including calls, texts, and chats, and are now averaging more than 19,500 contacts each month. Most of those calls are answered in-state by fellow Ohioans with only about 1 percent of calls rolling over to a national backup provider.