Most of us have heard PSAs on the radio for suicide hotlines that are essentially call centers for people in crisis to get help. A recent article at the BBC has some interesting information about British helplines, particularly that 1/6 of the calls are adolescent women seeking help before they harm themselves.

In total, more than 6,000 children and young people – some as young as five – called the helpline about mental health problems, ChildLine analysis found. Problems included depression, eating disorders, bullying and sexual abuse.

We often overlook these types of services and may even minimize their importance, but even based on this single case study these centers can make a tremendous difference for people in need of help. Furthermore, for people in rural areas or those who are somewhat afraid to seek formal treatment, these services can really act as a gateway to professional help.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 28 Feb 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.