I have been touched by suicide in the last year and so feel deeply about the crisis that exists in this country and affects so many of our young people. I find it hard to believe that this administration thinks the federal government can run a more effective and efficient program than the current operators. Additionally, this will imperil the perceived anonymity of the service. Something that is vital for its effectiveness. Maybe you leave it to the White House to look at the poll numbers, but this government in particular has lost credibility with young people and this loss of credibility becomes a life or death issue for the young people that the hotline currently serves. This service should be supported by the federal government though. This is how we help. This is how we make a difference.
Ivan, DC
In 2004, a friend of mine called 1-800-SUICIDE because his crippling depression was leading him to consider a permanent solution to a temporary problem. The intervention worked, and he is alive and thriving now. SAMHSA has created a similar program, I've heard. Unfortunately this is duplicating services and cannot guarantee the confidentiality that a private suicide prevention program can. Please send the $266,000 compensation to 1-800-SUICIDE that congress appropriated. This is a valuable service that ensures confidentiality to its users. If it folds because the government has not kept up its end of the partnership, I guarantee lives will be in danger. I understand that the SAMHSA program "ensures" confidentiality. The fact is that the stigma surrounding mental health issues, combined with the current distrust of our government to keep things confidential will drive people to not utilize these services.
Jennifer, NC
Please do not let the government take away 1.800.SUICIDE. I used to work for an organization in Michigan that answered Hopeline phone lines, as well as our own contracted lines. Confidentiality is a huge factor in why people feel it's OK to call for help. The new government plan would give the gov. access to caller data. Anything at all that could deter a suicidal person from calling for help is too big a risk for me to support. The Hopeline is an already distinguished and functioning organization. It does not need the government to step in and "reinvent the wheel." what it needs is government support to continue running. The organizations who help fund and answer the Hopeline's lines already work under some government standards - with their own accreditations and certifications. There is no need to take work like this away from those organizations.
Stephanie, IL
The issue of having a suicide hotline open is very important to me personally due to a suicide happening within my family very recently. Last March, my grandfather committed suicide. His loss devasatated his friends and family, and the unending questions stemming from that ordeal have torn my family apart. It is due to medical issues, in many cases, that people have the urge to committ suicide and without intervention many of these individuals do so. Their deaths are simply unneccessary in so many instances. Please, please keep the suicide hotline working for our whole nation, and with enough resources, so that people who need this help can receive it. Thank you so much.
Amber, GA
I am pleading with you to send financial support to the efforts of 1.800.SUICIDE and the Kristin Brooks Hope Center. Not too long ago, I called 1.800.SUICIDE. I was concerned about a dear friend of mine. The man who answered the phone took the time to really hear what I had to say, and what's more, he gave me expert advice that not only comforted me, but gave me a much better idea of how to help my friend. Without 1.800.SUICIDE, I would not have slept that night and who knows what could have happened with my friend. Now this non-profit, which is very important to me and countless others in this country, is in need of help.
Steve, CT
Dear Mam or Sir, Please take into consideration the countless lives and statistic's that are shown every year, every month, every week, every day. on average it is shown that about every 18 minutes a suicide is commited, do you want to be responsible for more deathes than what already occurs. whether you know it or not kids need someone there, whether you care or not, look at your children, think about them. what if you hade to go to their funeral, what would you do? this line has saved many people from doing something horrid, you son or daughter, niece or nephew, brother or sister. Depression is something that cant be hidden all the time, however people put on a fake face, because they don't want to talk about it, if you take the right to talk away, then we truly don't live in a free country. People need someone to care, even if you don't.
Rachel, NY
I am an 18-year old college freshman. In high school, I was an honor roll student, and I was admitted to 8 of the 9 colleges I applied to. I was surrounded by supportive friends and family members. And yet - four years ago, I tried to kill myself and had to be taken to the hospital. I (obviously) survived, despite the damage sustained to my liver. My depression had been increasing for months, and I only wish that I had known about 1-800-SUICIDE then. If I had only had a confidential place to share my despair, perhaps the whole messy, painful incident might have been prevented, and I would have sought mental treatment sooner.
Ashley, NJ
Dear Human Healthe Services, I don't know a lot about what it is that you do. Perhaps this is because I haven't come across you, or perhaps it's because you don't do enough to make yourselves well known. The point is, that Hopeline is helping growing numbers of comflicted people. Being seventeen myself, I have learned in my short years how hard life is and how sometimes all you need to move forward is a little hope. Hopeline is giving hope and strength to millions of people, unlike myself, who can't find hope without a little help. Please, don't ruin a good thing. Help keep hope alive by not ruining what little hope we have left in this country.
Maggie, MD
My friend committed suicide two years ago. He is, literally, the last person I would have expected to do this. I miss him so much, and I never got to say goodbye. Please, please, please do what you can to save this most recognized suicide prevention hotline. If it can save one person, it's worth it.
Jennifer, NY
The Hopeline unfailingly gives desperate people the strength they need to survive every single day. Lives have been saved by 1-800-SUICIDE, and they need to continue doing that for the sake of every depressed person who turns to the Hopeline for help. They give so much to America; they deserve to be given back whatever they need to continue their services. You, as the Government, should take responsibility where it is needed and serve your country by helping the Hopeline. Please do what is right.
Emily, PA
Wake up and realize this is killing our country. And just because these people thought of it first, doesn't mean you have to destroy this and make it your own. Fund what's going on, not take over.
Flannery, AZ
My primary concern for the changes in Suicide Crisis is that for privacy. As it stands, the 1-800-SUICIDE is completely confidential, and privately owned. The Federal Government has no right interfering in such a strictly personal matter as suicide. This is where the line is drawn between government and personal affairs. I am writing to urge you to keep suicide crisis matters privately owned, confidentially run. Therefore I urge you to support 1-800-SUICIDE, to keep the program alive, for the sake of personal privacy.
Alfredo, CA
I'm ashamed of an administration that places a monetary value on human life. I'm ashamed that one of the best, most active, and most confidential outlets for disturbed and confused youths might be shut down for the sake of money and politics. Please don't let this happen, because lives are at stake.
Elliot, TX