Teen Lifeline is a free, confidential, anonymous hotline for teens, where peer counselors are available by call or text every day (photo courtesy of Teen Lifeline).
Teen Lifeline is reminding Valley residents that a simple phone call or text message could save a teen’s life.
With graduation, finals and big life changes ahead, spring can be an overwhelming time for teens – more overwhelming than most adults realize, the organization says. Research shows that suicide rates rise in the spring, and Teen Lifeline crisis hotline, staffed by volunteer teen peer counselors, sees an annual 10 percent increase in calls from Arizona teens between Spring Break and the end of the school year.
That’s why, on National Telephone Day, Friday, April 25, Teen Lifeline is urging every Arizonan to put their phone to its most important use – checking in on a teen. Just a simple check in to say “hello” and let them know you care can make a difference.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, strong, positive relationships with others can be protective and prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. These protective relationships can be especially important this time of year.
“Whether it’s finals, graduation or friends moving on and moving away, the end of the school year is more stressful for our teens than we realize,” said Nikki Kontz, clinical director at Teen Lifeline. “Please use your phone for its best possible purpose on April 25th and throughout the next two months – to check in with a teen and see how they are doing. It could save a life.”
It’s important for teenagers to know that the adults in their lives care about them, Kontz says, yet she also urges teens to reach out to other teens on National Telephone Day. “It’s all about making someone feel like they’re cared about,” she adds.
In 2023, Teen Lifeline received nearly 48,000 calls and text messages from teens in crisis – a 10.6 percent increase from call volumes in 2022. Of those, nearly 16,000 calls and texts were from a teen experiencing thoughts of suicide.
A teen’s cell phone, as Kontz explains, can be an important relationship building tool for parents, caregivers, family members and friends.
“Some teens who are nervous about opening up in person will be more likely to share their feelings through text messages, especially when they are struggling with something,” said Kontz.
Sending memes, gifs or articles that align with a teen’s interests is another way to use a cell phone to uplift, encourage and maintain a relationship. For more information, visit www.teenlifeline.org. For help, call or text Teen Lifeline at 602-248-8336 or 800-248-TEEN.
