What is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline? The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide, three-digit hotline launched on July 16, 2022, to provide free and confidential support for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health crises, or substance use issues. It replaced the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 10-digit number to simplify access to crisis services. Operated by over 200 local crisis centers and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Lifeline connects callers, texters, and chat users to trained counselors available 24/7. Specialized services include support for veterans, Spanish-speaking individuals, LGBTQI+ callers, and those...

The look on people’s faces is asking the same thing: How could this happen so rapidly? In just a few weeks, we have gone from being advised to wash our hands properly -- which, frankly, is something that we should always be doing regardless -- to being ordered to stay in our homes for all but the most vital activities, like buying essential groceries or going to the drug store. True, our nation has faced larger catastrophes before. But we have never experienced so much remarkable change in such a small period of time. This isn't merely dizzying. It's staggering. However,...