Prevention

Postvention

I’m writing this update at a moment when very few people can honestly say they are “doing well.” For a long list of reasons, people throughout our community are struggling more than ever to cope.

At Crisis Connections, we see this in the dramatic increase in calls to our helplines from people seeking support for themselves or others. Since early 2020, we’ve received a record number of calls, texts, and chats to our helplines, with a sustained increase of 25 to 39 percent. Also, callers are in more acute distress and trying their best to cope with multiple and more complex challenges. Our adult and youth callers report higher levels of suicidality, more intense symptoms of depression and anxiety, and greater levels of substance abuse. More of our family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers report financial instability, fear of losing their housing, and increased struggle to keep up with rising costs.

As behavioral health providers on the front lines, our staff and volunteers see firsthand the urgent need to invest in long-neglected mental health and addiction treatment services.

Yet– despite this grim reality– this is also a hopeful time. I’m feeling hopeful because conversations about mental health and substance abuse are changing. Nationally and locally, elected leaders and government officials are acknowledging greater access to behavioral healthcare is needed—and needed now.  In many regards, the stigma associated with talking about mental health is lessening, as people better recognize there is no reason to feel shame and they are not alone in their struggles.

As part of this positive shift, the 988 dialing code was activated across the U.S. in July and Crisis Connections successfully launched the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline serving King County. No matter where you live in the U.S., you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help simply by dialing or texting 988. Crisis Connections is part of a national network of more than 200 local, independent crisis centers equipped to help people in mental health-related distress 24/7/365.

Through the 988 dialing code and our other helplines, Crisis Connections staff and volunteers provide compassionate and non-judgmental support for people across Washington State. Because of the support of our donors and contractors, our helplines serve as one of the primary connectors to basic resources, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment.

As we all try to navigate these challenging times, I’m inspired by the life-changing, and lifesaving, impact our staff and volunteers have every day across our state. I thank you for ensuring Crisis Connections is here for anyone when they have a personal crisis - whether emotional, financial, or physical.

Sincerely,

By Jessica Bhuiyan

When I was first introduced to Crisis Connections, I thought I understood. Crisis Connections provides critical intervention services for individuals experiencing a personal physical, emotional, or financial crisis. During my first days with the organization, I met Bipasha Mukherjee, a 25-year crisis line volunteer. I learned a lot from our conversation, moved by her dedication and more so by the privilege she expressed feeling connected to callers. She often still wonders, “Who is helping who?” It was then that I thought I knew.

It wasn’t until I joined a listening session as part of my orientation that I truly understood the lifeline that is Crisis Connections.

A listening session is extraordinarily powerful and highly emotional. It is the opportunity to silently, and confidentially, join callers as they connect with our highly trained staff and volunteers during an intensely vulnerable time. My first call, a concerned roommate unsure of how to help their friend paralyzed with homesickness. The empathetic voice of the Crisis Connections volunteer gathered essential information to assess for safety while simultaneously offering comfort and understanding with ease.

The power of these calls struck me, especially when the young professional got on the phone, a world away from home, and felt safe enough to talk and open up. Loneliness, isolation, and a sense of disconnectedness plagued this person. I felt their pain and sadness. Armed with resources and suggestions from our volunteer, this caller sounded slightly more confident, stronger. Being heard and understood, a sense of hope came through.

Throughout the afternoon, several callers shared thoughts of ending their life through suicide–seeking intervention and a non-judgmental connection. Hearing each callers’ desperation, sadness, and fear was palpable, gut wrenching. I felt my heart ache. On the other end of the call however, our Crisis Connections’ volunteer was in complete control, ever present to ensure the individual’s safety, while demonstrating genuine concern, understanding, and support.

While silently listening in on calls to the King County 211 program I heard community members who were on the verge of eviction, one elderly person was so lost and scared, unsure where they’d end up. Another, new to Washington, was in vital need of a prescription refill, but found themselves circling between physician offices and insurance companies, each lost day was another without lifesaving medication. Each of these callers received timely, reliable, and concrete resources to pursue. Vitally important, each caller was treated with respect and dignity. No matter the crisis, everyone who called was assured, and reassured, that they had found help.

I’ve been forever changed participating in a listening session. I remain in awe of the courageous callers seeking support and the volunteers and staff who give our neighbors hope. Now I understand. Crisis Connections truly saves lives.

When you need it the most, Crisis Connections is there offering help, hope, and healing.