Next week, states will roll out 988 as the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, similar to how people can call 911 for emergencies.

All phone service providers will be required to connect callers who dial 988 to the lifeline starting July 16. The existing lifeline uses a 10-digit number, 1-800-273-8255.

“On July 16, our country enters a new era of crisis services,” said Maureen Iselin, a spokesperson for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, at a Thursday news conference where officials answered questions about how states can prepare.

The roll-out has been in the works for years with many mental health professionals saying it will help expand much-needed services and make them more accessible to people seeking help. But some experts have said their states aren’t ready for the launch.

Here’s what you need to know:

How does 988 work?

What to know: After dialing or texting 988, you’ll be connected with a trained mental health professional at a local or regional crisis center.  If your local center cannot connect you to a counselor, national backup centers can pick up the call. The lifeline is administered by the nonprofit Vibrant Emotional Health.

That’s how it has worked for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, and the set-up will continue after 988 is launched.

What experts say: The shortened, more accessible lifeline marks “a transformative moment in terms of thinking about approaching crisis care,” said Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, an assistant secretary at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, on Thursday.

The launch also comes amid what experts have called a mental health crisis in the U.S. amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Are states prepared?

What to know: For many advocates, 988 represents an opportunity to expand services but also a challenge due to its potential added pressure on already strained mental health crisis response systems. Some advocates have questioned whether states will be ready for the increased call volume projected after the switch to the 988 model.