‘Warmline’ takes a fresh approach to mental health issues
As reports of depression and loneliness increase, one New Jersey nonprofit is stepping up its efforts to reach the state’s residents before they reach their peak.
The CONTACT Helpline has been operating for over 50 years under the auspices of its parent organization, CONTACT of Mercer County. But the group’s “phone” has been updated in recent months to reflect its growing mission to help people across the country.
What is a hotline? Listen Line Coordinator Jesse Szwed calls it a bridge between day-to-day support and crisis intervention.
“A hotline like 988 is there to deal with emergencies, but the Helpline is for those not in immediate crisis who still need support,” he said. “We’re here to provide compassionate listening, proactive counseling, and referrals to resources that can solve problems before they become more severe.”
Warmlines have sprung up across the country — the website warmline.org lists more than 100 nationwide — as officials seek to take pressure off suicide prevention lines and reach people before lives end. they got into trouble. People who call can talk about their problems in a friendly voice and be referred to mental health treatment, housing assistance, food and other resources.
Why NJ needs a ‘hotline’ for mental health
CONTACT organizers see it as an important part of the strategy to deal with the rising tide of mental health complaints in New Jersey and beyond. Nationwide, suicide rates have steadily increased since the late 1990s. Meanwhile, an American surgeon general has warned of a “mental health crisis” among young people that has increased during the COVID epidemic.
Two years ago, the government launched and renamed the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline as “988,” a simple three-digit number that guides users by phone, text or chat to a network of centers. of local disaster response. Warmlines are another piece of the puzzle
Szwed and 11 colleagues are standing by, hoping to help callers before the 988 call is needed. With 949 calls so far this year through October, CONTACT has seen a 120% increase in call volume over the same period last year.
“We are taking steps to meet that demand,” Szwed said.
The calls come in for many reasons, from people who are lonely or stressed to those struggling to find food or shelter — two concerns often associated with mental health, she said.
Szwed recalled the emotional story of a caller who was “devastated by housing instability.” A woman from North Jersey came in again and again, worried and restless. After more than a year and a half of negotiations, Szwed and his colleagues were there for him and were able to connect him with affordable housing options.
Can it follow the success of the 988?
When the federal government established the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in 2022, CONTACT was expanding its operations, hiring consultants and investing in telecommunications and technology. Tony Ciavolella, the group’s deputy executive director, emphasized the importance of both services and the unique assistance that warmlines can provide.
“There are still very few calls nationwide,” Ciavolella said. “While we need crisis lines, we also need more services that people can call on for emotional support before things get worse. Mental health awareness is increasing, but so is with the need for access, early intervention. We do everything we can to meet that need, but additional resources and recognition of warm messages can make a big difference.”
While the national effort to promote 988 hotlines came with federal dollars, the growth of the Helpline depends on their funding, he said.
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How to get to the Listen line
Paid counselors work on the Helpline from 11am to 3pm on weekdays, with volunteers working the remaining hours. That hybrid structure helps CONTACT keep costs low and keep the hotline free for those who need it.
“We rely heavily on volunteers, but funding can help us grow and operate more sustainably across the country,” Ciavolella said.
Szwed said the phone’s value comes from its ability to provide practical help and emotional support.
“If someone calls us facing homelessness, we connect them with resources like HomeFront or Arm In Arm,” he said., is about two Mercer County nonprofits. “We work as a preventive care process, so that by getting support early, it does not turn into a crisis situation.”
“There is a growing awareness of mental health needs, but many people still don’t know that 988 or The Listening Line exists,” Ciavolella said. With more support, we can reach even more people in New Jersey.”
CONTACT’s New Jersey Listening Line can be reached at (609) 737-3300.
Gene Myers covers disability and mental health for NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network. For unlimited access to the most important content from your community, please register or add your digital account today.
Email: myers@northjersey.com
Twitter: @myersgene
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