Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline is adding more late-night shifts

March 19--The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline has added three late-evening shifts -- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday -- to its current Monday to Friday schedule.

Hotline volunteers now answer the line from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next day. Outside those hours, someone will still answer, but they will be outside Idaho, working through the Lifeline Network.

"Each time we train a new cohort of dedicated volunteers we come closer to 24/7 Suicide Hotline response in Idaho. Our evening call volume has been consistently higher than the morning shifts, so I know we are filling a need here," said hotline director John Reusser in a press release.

The hotline number is: 800-273-8255 (TALK).

Volunteers have fielded more than 500 calls so far this year -- more than half of 2013's total call volume. The hotline marked its first year in operation in November 2013.

The line, which is a collaboration of a number of agencies, organizations and individuals, addresses an urgent need: Idaho has the sixth-highest suicide rate in the U.S. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in Idaho.

Want to help?

The hotline team trains volunteers -- laypersons or professionals -- to become crisis phone workers. The next training cycle begins April 26, with informational sessions for prospective volunteers beginning April 2. Retired and motivated mental health professionals are encouraged to consider becoming volunteer phone room supervisors.

Volunteers receive about 34 hours of training and apprenticeship and commit to one 4.5-hour hotline shift per week for one year. To learn more or make a donation, visit the ISPH webpage. To volunteer call Nina Leary at 258-6992 or email nleary@mtnstatesgroup.org.

___

(c)2014 The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho)

Visit The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho) at www.idahostatesman.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services