Tools For Practice Tuesday – CrisisTextLine.org
So happy to share this tool for practice because it combines my interest in crisis work with my passion for engaging with youth (or anyone else that prefers to text).
CrisisTextLine.org was developed by Nancy Lubin, who recognized that texting is one of the primary means that youth communicate. You can see the origin story via this Ted Talk.
All you needed to do is text “LISTEN” to 741-741 and a crisis counselor will assist via text. Also encourage others to save it to their phone. This is a great tool to add to a youth or young adults crisis plan. A lot of agencies have there own crisis service but I think this is a good adjunct that meets people “where they are”.
Crisis service managers may be interested in crisistrends.org which collects a wide range of data based on the text exchanges. For instance most crisis text exchanges are happening on the weekend. Their data repository is a great example of how technology is changing human services.
I also have to give yet another shout out to the folks #SPSM Chat (Suicide Prevention and Social Media) for this resource, namely Dr. April Foreman for her tireless efforts with this. For a taste of the fun that is #spsm chat, you can watch the live google hangout on using this texting service and it’s data to create innovation.
