By Tobias Carroll Beginning today, people experiencing mental health crises will have a new option to address the issue at hand. On Saturday, a new three-digit number, 988, went live. The principle is similar to 911 — an easy-to-remember number that can be dialed or texted in an emergency. As The Verge reports, 988 will connect people to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. That encompasses 200 local call centers, as well as a national call center. There are a number of reasons why lawmakers and mental health advocates have pushed for this in recent years, including the importance of directing som…