DENVER (December 5, 2023) – Caring for Denver Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to provide financial support for programs and services that address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs, has awarded a grant to Crisis Text Line to spread mental health awareness and support people in their time of need. Crisis Text Line is a nonprofit organization providing free, 24/7, confidential text-based mental health support in English and Spanish. Crisis Text Line’s volunteer Crisis Counselors help texters sort through anything they are struggling with from school stress and breakups to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Individuals seeking support can text DENVER to 741741 to reach a live, volunteer Crisis Counselor.
“We’ve seen overwhelming evidence for the need for immediate, crisis-response support for local youth,” shared Lorez Meinhold, Caring for Denver Foundation executive director. “We are excited to support Crisis Text Line and partner with organizations and agencies that support youth to create an awareness campaign for this new mental health resource.”
Caring for Denver Foundation was founded by Denver voters through a 2018 ballot initiative and is funded by Denver sales tax dollars to grow community-informed solutions such as Crisis Text Line. Caring for Denver Foundation funded Crisis Text Line outside of its normal triennial funding cycle due to a growing and demonstrated immediate need for mental health support for Colorado youth. Since 2017, Colorado youth have seen rates of poor mental health double. This observation is exacerbated for youth of color or for those who identify as LBGTQIA+. Today, suicide remains a leading cause of death for Colorado’s youth.
“Because Crisis Text line uses texting and WhatsApp, they have a high reach among youth – 70% of Crisis Text Line users are under the age of 24,” continued Meinhold. “Further, Crisis Text Line has a higher level of anonymity and bilingual support which is ideal for multicultural youth and LGBTQIA+ youth.”
To ensure Denver youth are aware of the resource, Denver Public Schools will share information via communications channels, flyers, and posters in all schools. Further, Crisis Text Line and Caring for Denver Foundation will launch a digital advertising campaign to present youth with information on social media and online gaming channels, and via local radio stations.
“By providing essential mental health resources for our youth, we empower them to navigate life challenges with strength and resilience,” said Jana French, Community Partnerships Director at Crisis Text Line. “We are grateful that Caring for Denver Foundation gave us the opportunity to deliver essential mental health resources to the vibrant youth of Denver. Together, we are shaping a healthier future for our youth.”
Denver residents seeking free, 24/7 confidential mental health support through Crisis Text Line can connect via text, web chat, and WhatsApp in English and Spanish. Crisis Text Line has trained more than 65,000 volunteer Crisis Counselors who bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through empathy, active listening, and by empowering each texter to use their own strengths and coping strategies.
To reach a live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor, text “DENVER” to 741741, text 443-SUPPORT (442-AYUDAME for Spanish) in WhatsApp, or connect via web chat.
For more information on Caring for Denver Foundation and to apply for a grant, visit caring4denver.org.
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About Caring for Denver Foundation
Caring for Denver Foundation was founded and funded with overwhelming voter support to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs by growing community-informed solutions, dismantling stigma, and turning the community’s desire to help into action. Guided by community input, the organization has funded more than $140 million in the areas of alternatives to jail, community-centered solutions, youth, and special initiatives since it began.
About Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is a nonprofit organization that provides free, confidential, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention in English and Spanish. Since its launch in 2013, Crisis Text Line has engaged in more than 9 million crisis conversations and trained over 65,000 volunteers to support people in their moments of need. Crisis Text Line is committed to creating an empathetic world where nobody feels alone. Individuals seeking confidential support can connect with us via text, web chat and WhatsApp. To be connected to a live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor, text HELLO to 741741 or 443-SUPPORT in WhatsApp or text HOLA to 741741 or 442-AYUDAME in WhatsApp for Spanish or connect with us via web chat. Visit Crisis Text Line on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok. Additional information, including how to become a volunteer or how to support Crisis Text Line through donations or partnerships, is available at www.crisistextline.org.