Eating disorder crises spike on Mondays.
Substance abuse is the worst at five oclock in the morning.
Loneliness, bullying, LGBTQ+ issues, self-harm, sexual abuse, scary stuff in the news.
Theres been a spike in texts after every widely publicized mass shooting.
In the hours after the presidential election, the crisis linesaw eight times the normal volume of messages.
There was a surge when Zayn left One Direction.
Seventy-five percent of the texters in crisis are under the age of 25.
Ten percent are under the age of 13.
If youre not sure whether to feel alarmed or relieved about this, thats okay.
The counselors are simply meeting young people where they are, and where they are is on their devices.
There are other reasons why helping children and teens via text just works.
Texters can get instant help wherever they are, no awkward appointment-scheduling necessary.
Every day during lunchtime, the crisis line sees an uptick in texts.
1 location mentioned by texters in crisis is school.
We just get facts.
Such active rescues happen 15 to 20 times per day.
Texters ages 12 or younger who identify as Middle Eastern report being bullied more than any other demographic group.
47.3% of student texters identify as LGBTQ+.
Heres what we all can learn from Crisis Text Line counselors.
Its important to be empathetic, non-judgmental and non stigmatizing.
Listen to whatever it is they need to talk about.
Dont Make Promises About the Future
We cant promise somethings going to get better, Turner says.
We can only reflect the strength that an individual has to get through a situation.
I have no control over whether your parents are going to continue to yell at you.
But I can tell you, Youre very brave and strong for reaching out to us tonight.
This helps the texter remember that theyve gotten through rough times before, and they can do so again.
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any throw in of crisis, for free, 24/7.
If you are experiencing a crisis, textHOMEto741741from anywhere in the United States.
