Behavioral Health Services Department launches text-based crisis counseling option
Emotionally or mentally distressed residents in the County of Santa Clara now have access to a 24-7 text-based crisis counseling service.
The County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department has partnered with Crisis Text Line, Inc. to provide free, text-based, confidential assistance to people in need in the County of Santa Clara. To receive text-based support from trained Crisis Text Line counselors, County of Santa Clara residents can text RENEW to 741741. The support is free, accessible 24/7, and confidential.
To date, Crisis Text Line, a national organization, has answered more than 84 million messages. The organization has more than 4,500 active Crisis Counselors with strict safeguards and protocols to provide care, safety, and confidentiality for each user.
“The ability to offer text-based support to people in need adds a new dimension to our services and is an especially important tool to offer to young people in Santa Clara County,” said Toni Tullys, Director of the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department, adding, “It’s important to make access to counseling easy and approachable, and text-based support does both.” The vast majority of Crisis Text Line users are under age 25; partnering with Crisis Text Line is an important to address the issue of youth suicides, including college-age youth.
The County’s Behavioral Health Services Department already offers a 24/7, free, confidential Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline Dial 9-8-8, mental health and substance use services information and referrals at its toll-free Behavioral Health Services Call Center (800) 704-0900.
About half of adults will experience a mental health challenge over the course of their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.