The Crisis Text Line report on the State of Mental Health in America shows over 22,000 texters in Louisiana have reached out for help since launching in August 2013. Crisis Text Line spokesperson Ashley Womble says in that time, 465 times they have been able to de-escalate someone in Louisiana who was thinking about suicide.
“They had a plan and they had a method and they had access to that method and they also had a timeframe of within 24 hours,” said Womble.
The report indicates that three-quarters of the texters are under the age of 25, with 82% of them identifying as female. However, men are more likely to die from suicide. Womble says sometimes, a conversation is not enough and someone needs to step in.
“About 1% of our conversations, we do need to contact emergency services to make an active rescue. And in Louisiana, since we’ve launched in 2013, that’s happened 240 times,” said Womble.
Using the Crisis Text Line is the first time seeking help for 60% of those who use it. Depression and sadness is the top reason linked to usage, followed closely by relationship issues, then anxiety and stress. Womble says the number one form of self-care among texters is music.
“It doesn’t really matter what kind of music that you want to listen to, but music is the thing that really helps people become calm and feel like they are in less crisis,” said Womble.
The Crisis Text Line can be accessed by sending the word “HOME” to 741-741.
