Sunday, Sept. 8, was the first-ever 988 Day. It is officially the day used to raise awareness about the nation's suicide and crisis lifeline. Not many people know about the resource, and it is why mental health workers are letting them know that they are here for them.September is also National Suicide Prevention Month. Gena Abel-Barnes is the owner of Abel Counseling, Consulting & Mediation in Central Florida."So many of Americans have thoughts of harming themselves," Abel-Barnes said. "And it's scary to have those kinds of thoughts, so this is such an important day to say if you have those thoughts, take a next step to reach to someone."People in every state can call or text 24/7 in English or in Spanish."And, sometimes, talking can make a world of difference," Abel-Barnes said. 988 replaced the former toll-free hotline number. A caller experiencing a mental health crisis will be connected with someone who is trained to help."To have someone listen without judgment and to share what's on their mind to keep them safe," Abel-Barnes said. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, since the lifeline launched in 2022, counselors have answered more than 10 million calls, texts and chats. Almost 1.2 million of the calls were answered by the Veterans Crisis Line through 988's press 1 option.Knowing the signs can save a life."They have changes in their sleeping habits, in their eating -- some of the thoughts that they have might tell them to do things that they normally wouldn't want to do," Abel-Barnes said. "Any kind of change, take note of it. It's important."Dialing three digits can be the first step to addressing it early and often. "Mental health is just as important as your physical health," Abel-Barnes said. "If you break a bone, you're not just going to let it heal on its own, you're going to seek professional care to address it."If someone in Central Florida calls 988, a local mobile response group might handle the crisis to get you the resources you need.

It is officially the day used to raise awareness about the nation's suicide and crisis lifeline.

Not many people know about the resource, and it is why mental health workers are letting them know that they are here for them.

September is also National Suicide Prevention Month.

Gena Abel-Barnes is the owner of Abel Counseling, Consulting & Mediation in Central Florida.

"So many of Americans have thoughts of harming themselves," Abel-Barnes said. "And it's scary to have those kinds of thoughts, so this is such an important day to say if you have those thoughts, take a next step to reach to someone."

People in every state can call or text 24/7 in English or in Spanish.

"And, sometimes, talking can make a world of difference," Abel-Barnes said.

988 replaced the former toll-free hotline number. A caller experiencing a mental health crisis will be connected with someone who is trained to help.

"To have someone listen without judgment and to share what's on their mind to keep them safe," Abel-Barnes said.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, since the lifeline launched in 2022, counselors have answered more than 10 million calls, texts and chats. Almost 1.2 million of the calls were answered by the Veterans Crisis Line through 988's press 1 option.

Knowing the signs can save a life.

"They have changes in their sleeping habits, in their eating -- some of the thoughts that they have might tell them to do things that they normally wouldn't want to do," Abel-Barnes said. "Any kind of change, take note of it. It's important."

Dialing three digits can be the first step to addressing it early and often.

"Mental health is just as important as your physical health," Abel-Barnes said. "If you break a bone, you're not just going to let it heal on its own, you're going to seek professional care to address it."

If someone in Central Florida calls 988, a local mobile response group might handle the crisis to get you the resources you need.