It has been nearly 64 years since one of the first suicide hotline services went into effect. Since then, it has become an important symbol of mental health care as well as a crucial service that has saved countless lives. “The suicide hotline is a valuable resource for teens who may not have a safe person to turn to. The hotline is staffed by licensed mental health counselors who are trained to respond in a crisis. They can help teens talk through their feelings and connect them with local resources for help. Importantly, the hotline offers chat and text options, which can be more comfortable for some teens than talking on the phone,” says Mental Health Specialist Nathalie Faustino-Kuglen, who is also a therapist at UC High.

   Suicide hotlines represent crucial pieces of mental health infrastructure, and although some may think they are trivial, they are fundamental and lifesaving programs, that even in their early days, proved very useful in times of crisis. One of the first of such much needed programs was devised in 1961 by Bernard Hayes, an Anglican priest and journalist who was alarmed by the suicide rate in San Francisco. The hotline, called San Francisco Suicide Prevention, started out as a single red telephone, advertised by flyers on city buses (nyt.com). 

   This  relatively small step represents a huge leap in terms of mental healthcare at the time, and provided a literal lifeline for those who were struggling with mental health. According to the website for San Francisco Suicide Prevention, the organization has grown significantly, with over 200 volunteers and a budget over 1 million dollars (sfsuicide.org). Since then, these efforts have become nationwide, and in 2001, Congress set aside funds for the hotline as well as the establishment of a network of local crisis centers. The National Suicide Prevention Line officially launched in 2005, and received more than 45,000 calls in its first year, which only proves it’s value. The continued growth of these programs shows how frequently they are used and also how pressing the need is for these services.

   Since the inception of these programs, many necessary changes have been made to improve the crucial services. These include options for Spanish speakers, establishing a veteran’s crisis line, establishing a disaster distress line, integration into the Google search engine, and an added chat service (samhsa.gov). Recently, the hotline underwent a change to the 988 Lifeline, which only has three dial digits instead of ten, and, although this may seem to be an insignificant change to some, this number is much shorter and easier to remember, which can be crucial during a crisis.  

   Suicide, while being a sensitive topic, is also something that has a deeply relevant impact on teenagers (which suffer higher suicide rates than other groups), and the help available to students is equally as important. “As a Mental Health Specialist, I work with students both individually and in groups to explore and promote social and emotional well-being. My role involves meeting with students to discuss their worries and problems, and to develop strategies for support,” said Faustino-Kuglen. “Mental health is important throughout life, but I believe it’s especially critical for students to have access to mental health care at school. Therapy can provide a safe space for students to assert themselves, tell the truth about their experiences, and work towards positive change in their lives,” she said. Mental health should be a priority, and having these options available dramatically helps the people who might otherwise not seek help. Faustino-Kuglen also explained what programs the school offers for students who might need mental health support. “UC High offers several options for mental health services. The best way for students to determine which resource is right for them is to speak with their school counselor. We have teams of clinicians on campus who provide support through individual sessions, group programs, and crisis intervention,” she said. 

   Suicide hotlines continue to serve as a necessary resource for many worldwide. This critically important mental health infrastructure also shows an increased willingness to engage with those struggling with mental health issues, who may have previously been ignored or embroiled with a negative stigma. In the future, one can only hope that healthcare focused on mental health will only become more popular and available to the people needing it most. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please dial 988