TEEN LINE HELP LINE (5MIN)

Summary

The Teen Line is an anonymous helpline staffed by teen volunteers who provide support to their peers facing various challenges, including depression, relationships, and abuse. Since 1980, this service has offered a safe space for teens to share their struggles and receive empathy without judgment. Trained in active listening and mental health issues, volunteers create a connection that helps callers feel understood and less isolated. The program also promotes awareness and education about teen issues through outreach initiatives in schools and communities, emphasizing the impact of teens helping each other for positive change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teen Line is an anonymous and confidential helpline for teens, available from 6 to 10 p.m. every day.
• 😀 Since its inception in 1980, Teen Line has supported over 10,000 teens annually dealing with various issues.
• 😀 Teen volunteers provide empathetic listening without judgment, allowing peers to share their struggles freely.
• 😀 The service addresses a wide range of topics, including depression, suicide, relationships, and abuse.
• 😀 Volunteers undergo a 13-week intensive training program to develop active listening skills and mental health knowledge.
• 😀 The helpline fosters a supportive environment where teens can connect and feel understood by others going through similar experiences.
• 😀 Teen Line's outreach programs educate teens about common challenges and promote awareness in schools and communities.
• 😀 The organization publishes the Youth Yellow Pages app, offering resources for teens facing various issues.
• 😀 Financial support for Teen Line comes from grants, fundraisers, and individual donations.
• 😀 The concept of 'teens helping teens' has proven beneficial, creating a positive impact in both volunteers' and callers' lives.

Q & A

What is Teen Line?

Teen Line is an anonymous and confidential helpline staffed by teen volunteers who provide support to other teens facing various challenges.

What kind of issues do callers typically discuss with Teen Line volunteers?

Callers discuss a wide range of issues, including relationships, suicidal thoughts, child abuse, rape, self-injury, and eating disorders.

How does Teen Line ensure the quality of its support?

Teen volunteers at Teen Line are supervised by adult mental health professionals who provide them with support and guidance.

What is the main goal of Teen Line?

The main goal of Teen Line is to provide empathetic listening and support to teens in need, helping them feel understood and less isolated.

What training do Teen Line volunteers undergo?

Volunteers undergo an intensive 13-week training program that covers active listening skills and various issues teens may face, such as mental health and substance abuse.

How does Teen Line reach out to the community?

Teen Line conducts outreach programs to educate youth about the hotline and raise awareness about issues affecting teens, impacting over 35,000 youth and adults each year.

What impact has Teen Line had on its volunteers?

Many volunteers report feeling a sense of purpose and personal growth, as helping others can also aid in their own healing processes.

Is Teen Line a free service?

Yes, Teen Line is a free service, funded by grants, fundraisers, and individual donations.

How can teens access Teen Line?

Teens can access Teen Line by calling, texting, or emailing the helpline during its operating hours from 6 to 10 p.m.

What resources does Teen Line provide besides the hotline?

Teen Line also publishes the Youth Yellow Pages, a referral guide listing various services available to teens, which can now be downloaded as an app.