Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s introduce free, 24/7 Crisis Text Line for all ages

To address the growing need for accessible mental health resources, Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital are collaborating with Crisis Text Line, the nation’s largest text-based crisis-intervention service, to ensure mental health support is only a text away.

Crisis Text Line is guided by a vision for an empathetic world where no one feels alone. Individuals of all ages facing mental health struggles can text LIFE to 741741 to connect with a live, trained Crisis Counselor and receive confidential support – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Counselors are trained in active listening, collaborative problem solving and safety planning to help texters navigate difficult emotions.

“COVID-19 continues to have countless negative effects on the mental health of adults, teens and children, and we are committed to finding new, innovative ways to better serve our community,” said Terrie Andrews, PhD, vice president of Baptist and Wolfson Children’s Behavioral Health. “In a focus group with local teens, we found they preferred texting for help over calling because it was easier to express their feelings. Crisis Text Line is not only an accessible option for those in need, but it’s also an approachable one, broadening our reach and helping us prevent future crises from happening.”

Since its launch in 2013, Crisis Text Line reports it has answered more than six million texts, with 75% coming from those under the age of 25.

Crisis Text Line is only the latest tool Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s are using to boost mental wellness, prevent crises and champion the lifelong well-being of residents of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

Adults, teens and kids can also call the Baptist Health 24-Hour Crisis Hotline or Wolfson Children’s Kids & Teens Helpline at 904.202.7900 to connect with a trained mental health expert and receive emergency telephone support and assessment, crisis stabilization information and referral to follow-up care, if needed.

For parents, educators, health care providers and other concerned adults interested in starting conversations about mental health with kids and teens, Wolfson Children’s offers free, evidence-based educational tools and resources through On Our Sleeves, a national movement to break stigmas and promote wellness. To view resources or sign up for the monthly e-newsletter, visit WolfsonChildrens.com/OnOurSleeves.