S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6 M E N T A L H E A L T H M I N U T E Mental Health Minute Do You Know About 988? The Suicide Prevention Lifeline, established in 2005 and rebranded as 988 in 2022, has made crisis support easier to access. In just three years, call volume has risen 40%, with over 13 million calls, texts, and chats answered nationwide. September is Suicide Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, promote prevention efforts and support those affected by suicide. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with an estimated 49,000 lives lost each year. Understanding how to use 988 can make a life-saving difference. How It Works The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and confidential, offering support by phone, text, or online chat. Callers can connect to the Veterans Crisis Line, receive help in English, Spanish, ASL, or access interpretation in 240+ languages. Once connected, trained counselors listen, provide resources, and help de-escalate distress—turning to 911 only when absolutely necessary. The Lifeline’s goal is to reduce emotional pain, offer immediate support, and guide people toward ongoing help. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org if you or someone you know is experiencing mental health-related distress. For further guidance, contact a mental health professional. Mental Health Benefits of Reading Curling up with a good book is more than a cozy hobby; it’s a genuine workout for your mind and emotions. In fact, researchers continue to uncover the advantages of being a habitual reader. Studies have found that reading offers several benefits, such as the following: • Strengthens your brain —Regular reading strengthens the neural pathways tied to memory, focus and comprehension. • Builds emotional resilience —Books can stir the full range of feelings which can help build resilience and improve one’s ability to cope with difficult situations. • Sharpens empathy —Reading literary fiction has been shown to improve your ability to sense what others are thinking and feeling, even when it differs from your own. • Relieves stress —Losing yourself in a good book can help reduce stress by lowering cortisol, blood pressure and heart rate. • Improves focus and attention span — Reading can help train the brain to sustain attention on a single thread for an extended stretch. • Eases feelings of loneliness —Getting lost in a story can offer a sense of companionship without the pressure of social interaction.