The 988 lifeline is here! What you need to know.

If you’re having an emergency, you call 911. But what about a mental health crisis? Starting today, you can call 988, which is the new, shortened version of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s previous and still functioning 1-800-273-8255.

The easy to remember number aims to make the resource more accessible amid a mental health crisis in the U.S. intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to find out about 988’s potential impact, I spoke to experts to learn more.

While a shorter number may not seem like a big deal, this accessibility could make “all the difference,” says Brad Kennedy, chief operating officer at Driftwood Recovery, an addiction and mental health rehabilitation center in Texas, “not just for individuals experiencing suicidality, but for their loved ones who are also less likely to recall complex numbers during emotional distress. It will comfort those struggling with suicidality to know that they can engage in an anonymous, non-judgmental conversation with someone highly skilled in dealing with suicide prevention.”

click here.therapist Sara Kuburic in this week’s column. We’ve all hurt someone we love – to varying degrees. It’s always impressive, she adds, when someone recognizes their role and wants to take responsibility. That’s the first step. But, apologizing is not always easy.  

Here are several things Sara suggests keeping in mind:

You probably hold powerful beliefs about apologizing. Explore any hesitations or fears you may have. It can be helpful to reflect on how your family handled mistakes and forgiveness while you were growing up. Has your family modeled what an apology sounds like? If apologizing is new to you, validate how scary and uncomfortable it may feel to admit you were wrong. 

Your intention matters. Why do you want to apologize? Is it sincere or manipulative? Did you do something that actually warrants an apology or are you trying to keep peace? Before apologizing, pause and reflect on why you are saying sorry. 

You need to choose your timing wisely. When someone is hurt, they may not want to hear your apology right away. There may not be a “perfect” time, but forcing someone to speak to you or hear you out before they are ready can feel less like an apology and more like an ambush. Sometimes our urgency is driven by guilt or fear of losing someone, misaligning our timing with the person’s need for some space to process. 

To read the full list of therapist-approved tips, click here.

Today’s reads

• This week’s advice column: My boyfriend’s sister derails our dog training. Can I refuse to let her puppysit?
• What is ‘dry drowning’? And do you need to be concerned? Our medical expert explains.
• ‘Afraid I’ll get pregnant from my husband’: Sexual anxiety soars post-Roe, experts say
• Have a child with ADHD, anxiety or sensory concerns? Use these tips for smoother summer plans.
• Are you freaking out right now? You’re not alone.
• Hayden Panettiere, and why the ‘suffering mother narrative’ is harmful
• Is Kim Kardashian’s $630 skincare line worth it? Here’s what dermatologists say

Today’s pet

Meet Myrtle.

“Myrtle holds down the fort while I’m at work and then drapes herself on me in one fashion or another once I’m home,” writes MK Longwell of Batavia, Illinois, of her 7-year-old cat. “She was a great companion during the COVID lockdown years (and) she continues to be excellent company!

More of what to know:988 becomes the new 3-digit suicide prevention hotline on July 16

More:LGBTQ advocates hope for ‘culturally competent’ training with suicide prevention lifeline’s shift to 988

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